Marin inequity could slow coronavirus reopening process

Marin Independent Journal article by: Richard Halstead

SAN RAFAEL CA – MAY 27: In the front of the line, Cruz Contreras waits with others for free COVID-19 testing at the Canal Alliance in San Rafael, Calif. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Marin’s chances of getting approval from the state for further reopenings in three weeks under coronavirus rules are slim, and the odds may become longer due to an “equity metric” in the works.

The state uses two indicators — average number of new COVID-19 cases per day, and average percentage of positive test results, both over seven-day periods — to determine where to place counties in its four-tiered risk status framework.

Now, state health officials are preparing to add a third indicator, an equity metric that would compare a county’s COVID-19 percent positivity rate across low-income neighborhoods and more affluent neighborhoods.

Read the full article on the Marin IJ website.

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