New Report Highlights Kentucky COVID-19 Impact and Opportunities for Recovery
The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), Fair Count, and the Southern Economic Advancement Project have released the latest Pandemic to Prosperity: South report. The report provides an overview of the COVID-19 impacts on Kentuckians’ lives and livelihoods, governments, civic institutions, and overall well-being. The report’s release comes amid the COVID-19 outbreak and following the declaration of the global crisis ending. Leaders are now dealing with the ways COVID-19 has changed society and civic life to plan a path towards recovery.
State and local governments can use the report’s findings to prioritize investments in the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Furthermore, using the report can help target disparities that undermine community resilience and prosperity.
According to the report, Kentucky had the fourth-highest death rate in the nation (1,085 deaths per 100,000 population) in 2020 and 2021. COVID-19 was a leading cause of death, but other causes such as drug overdoses, suicides, pregnancy-related deaths, and motor vehicle deaths spiked sharply. Approximately 1.6 million Americans died from 2020-2021.
The report also notes that since the pandemic struck, Kentucky passed legislation that limits the governor’s and state and local health officials’ authority to issue a public health emergency order. Health officials across the nation have expressed strong concern about how these restrictions will impact the response to future COVID-19 outbreaks and potential pandemics.
The report also highlights the issue of student loan relief and the 12% of Kentuckians (approximately 563,000 people) estimated to be eligible for federal student loan relief. Furthermore, the pause on student loan payments saved borrowers an average of $393 a month, which serves as essential support as many struggled with unstable income over the course of the pandemic.
Additionally, the report revealed that Kentucky had no competitive races (won by a margin of less than 8%) in the 2022 midterm elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. Competitive elections increase voter turnout and future political engagement, generate more outreach to voters and political information, and result in a more politically informed and energized electorate.
The full Pandemic to Prosperity: South report is available for reading on the NCoC website. The report’s findings can help state and local governments target disparities that undermine community resilience and prosperity and plan for a path forward towards recovery.
Original Story at www.nkytribune.com – 2023-05-06 04:49:10
