State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter
As states rush to reopen amid the continuing spread of the deadly coronavirus, they and the federal government should take extra precautions to protect workers, especially those in communities already overburdened by pollution and other environmental hazards.
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators has been working to address environmental justice issues that disproportionately affect Black communities. Now, the pandemic has added another layer of concern.
Workers in essential industries — many of them Black and brown — are being asked to return to work in conditions that may put their health at risk. Many of these same workers live in communities already dealing with high levels of pollution.
We call on Congress and state legislatures to ensure that as the economy reopens, worker safety is prioritized, especially in communities that have long been neglected.
