As Ontario enters into its second state of emergency at midnight, Ottawa community organizers remind residents that the city\u2019s most vulnerable are being put at risk. From risks to physical health, to heightened negative mental health effects, the racialized communities of Ottawa are being hit hard by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Andi Vicente from the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) said that Ottawa\u2019s newcomer population has little choice but to be working during this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLots of folks are working frontline jobs or what has been categorized as essential services,\u201d Vicente said. \u201cIt leaves them susceptible to being exploited in the workplace, not being treated fairly or not having a safe environment to work in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vicente also said that newcomers can feel even more isolated than most due to their lack of an established social network. The CCHC provides a drop-in service that seeks to provide a digital space for socializing.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our clients need peer support groups where they can be themselves freely,\u201d Vicente said.<\/p>\n
Mailyne Briggs from the Social Planning Council of Ottawa has also been working to help marginalized peoples navigate the challenges of COVID-19. Briggs expects the second state of emergency to be just as difficult for Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) community members as the first one.<\/p>\n