Skid Row is not just an example of systemic racism, but also one of public health. The conditions of homeless people in Skid Row are not suitable for living a healthy life with access to all necessities.
Homeless Encampments
Considering there have been little efforts put forth by the city to clean, manage, and mitigate the area, Skid Row’s dilapidation has been ongoing for years. The circumstances on Skid Row include exposure to feces and urine because of a lack of restrooms and poor sanitization, and exposure to weather. The weather in Los Angeles could cause dehydration, heat stroke, and in extreme cases, organ failure. According to LA County’s Department of Public Health, “heat causes more deaths in the U.S. each year than floods, storms, and lightning combined.” Heat is one of the leading causes of death and is preventable. Besides climate conditions, people experience chronic public intoxication of alcohol or drugs. Addiction is also one of the leading causes of death.
COVID-19
How are homeless people able to protect themselves against COVID-19? There is not much access to face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant chemicals, social distancing, quarantining, testing, or healthcare. Considering Skid Row is a 0.4 square mile area with 3% of the country’s entire homeless population residing here (CRA LA, 2005). A homeless encampment like Skid Row is a small, densely populated area that has no ability to adhere to CDC protocols.