People of a Pandemic

People with marginalized identities were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was an increase in overdose-related mortality and an overall higher mortality rate among racial minorities. The pandemic also led to increased isolation among older adults, which has been linked to negative health outcomes. These issues were exacerbated in rural Appalachia when combined with existing health and socioeconomic disparities. In Spring 2021, interviews were conducted with older adults, Hispanic individuals, African American individuals, and people who use drugs in Virginia’s New River Valley, with the goal of understanding how the pandemic impacted these populations. Sixteen of those stories are presented here. A thematic analysis revealed major themes: 1) financial (in)security and unemployment, 2) access to resources, 3) internet and technology, 4) public health policies, 5) mental health and isolation, and 6) resilience.