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Health

11.24 One Colorado Calls for Responsible COVID-19 Crisis Management to Protect Our Young People

By
January 1, 2021
•
#
min read

Denver, CO -- One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, is calling for action from school districts in response to the statewide spike in COVID-19 cases.

Colorado has experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the last few months, reaching a peak on November 12th, with a record high of 6,518 reported cases in one day. Within the same week, 66 separate outbreaks were recorded as a result of education and childcare facilities. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment advises that all educational instruction be done remotely if there is a moderate or high COVID-19 incidence in the community. This week, the CDPHE has moved 15 counties into a “level red” indicating severe risk. As a result of the increasing severity of community transmission, One Colorado is urging school districts to implement reasonable safety precautions for all students, and move to remote learning.

“Colorado is currently facing the highest three-day averages in COVID-19 cases that we have experienced throughout this pandemic. The LGBTQ community in Colorado, including our students and educators, is at greater risk for severe cases of this illness due to discrimination in health care as well as higher rates of tobacco use and immunocompromising health conditions. In order to keep all members of our community safe, we are urging school districts across our state to prioritize their students’ and staff’s wellbeing over politics and resume remote learning until our case numbers are once again within the public health guidelines for safe in-person instruction established by scientific consensus at the beginning of this pandemic.” - Alexander Wamboldt, PhD (he, him)

- One Colorado Youth & Schools Program Manager

“One Colorado supports safe schools for LGBTQ students and educators across Colorado. Unfortunately, in school learning is not safe for LGBTQ students and educators right now. Contracting COVID-19 creates immediate health concerns for members of our community, and we will not know for some time what, if any, long-term health consequences of COVID-19 may cause. LGBTQ Coloradans already face barriers to accessing clinically competent and culturally responsive health care while also facing discrimination in many other aspects of their lives. We need to protect our LGBTQ students and educators from infection during this time of heightened risk.”

- Marvyn Allen (they/them & he/him) - One Colorado Health Equity and Training Director

COVID-19 could adversely affect the lives and livelihood of LGBTQ young people at disproportionate rates, as they are more likely than the general population to encounter barriers to both physical and mental health care.

  • LGBTQ people are at higher risk for severe cases of COVID-19 for several factors:
  • Pre-existing health disparities faced by LGBTQ Coloradans make them less likely to be able to access medical care, and mean that a disproportionate amount of LGBTQ Coloradans already live in a state of compromised health.
  • LGBTQ people experience higher rates of cancer and under-treated HIV infection than the general population. As a result, a higher proportion of LGBTQ people have compromised immune systems.
  • Tobacco-use rates among LGBTQ people are 50% higher than the general population; smokers are at particularly high risk for severe cases of the respiratory illness, COVID-19.
  • Physical distancing, economic strain, and increased anxiety related to COVID-19 may impact LGBTQ youth, but virtual learning can still provide LGBTQ young people with a safe and affirming community. The Trevor Project advises schools to continue Gender and Sexuality Alliance involvement virtually because GSAs “significantly reduce the risk for depression and increase well-being among LGBTQ youth”.
  • If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.
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When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website. The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalization of the site, such as storing your preferences. Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.
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These items are used to deliver advertising that is more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Advertising networks usually place them with the website operator’s permission.
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These items allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For example, a website may provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing data about your current location.
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Health

11.24 One Colorado Calls for Responsible COVID-19 Crisis Management to Protect Our Young People

By
January 1, 2021
•
#
min read

Denver, CO -- One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, is calling for action from school districts in response to the statewide spike in COVID-19 cases.

Colorado has experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the last few months, reaching a peak on November 12th, with a record high of 6,518 reported cases in one day. Within the same week, 66 separate outbreaks were recorded as a result of education and childcare facilities. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment advises that all educational instruction be done remotely if there is a moderate or high COVID-19 incidence in the community. This week, the CDPHE has moved 15 counties into a “level red” indicating severe risk. As a result of the increasing severity of community transmission, One Colorado is urging school districts to implement reasonable safety precautions for all students, and move to remote learning.

“Colorado is currently facing the highest three-day averages in COVID-19 cases that we have experienced throughout this pandemic. The LGBTQ community in Colorado, including our students and educators, is at greater risk for severe cases of this illness due to discrimination in health care as well as higher rates of tobacco use and immunocompromising health conditions. In order to keep all members of our community safe, we are urging school districts across our state to prioritize their students’ and staff’s wellbeing over politics and resume remote learning until our case numbers are once again within the public health guidelines for safe in-person instruction established by scientific consensus at the beginning of this pandemic.” - Alexander Wamboldt, PhD (he, him)

- One Colorado Youth & Schools Program Manager

“One Colorado supports safe schools for LGBTQ students and educators across Colorado. Unfortunately, in school learning is not safe for LGBTQ students and educators right now. Contracting COVID-19 creates immediate health concerns for members of our community, and we will not know for some time what, if any, long-term health consequences of COVID-19 may cause. LGBTQ Coloradans already face barriers to accessing clinically competent and culturally responsive health care while also facing discrimination in many other aspects of their lives. We need to protect our LGBTQ students and educators from infection during this time of heightened risk.”

- Marvyn Allen (they/them & he/him) - One Colorado Health Equity and Training Director

COVID-19 could adversely affect the lives and livelihood of LGBTQ young people at disproportionate rates, as they are more likely than the general population to encounter barriers to both physical and mental health care.

  • LGBTQ people are at higher risk for severe cases of COVID-19 for several factors:
  • Pre-existing health disparities faced by LGBTQ Coloradans make them less likely to be able to access medical care, and mean that a disproportionate amount of LGBTQ Coloradans already live in a state of compromised health.
  • LGBTQ people experience higher rates of cancer and under-treated HIV infection than the general population. As a result, a higher proportion of LGBTQ people have compromised immune systems.
  • Tobacco-use rates among LGBTQ people are 50% higher than the general population; smokers are at particularly high risk for severe cases of the respiratory illness, COVID-19.
  • Physical distancing, economic strain, and increased anxiety related to COVID-19 may impact LGBTQ youth, but virtual learning can still provide LGBTQ young people with a safe and affirming community. The Trevor Project advises schools to continue Gender and Sexuality Alliance involvement virtually because GSAs “significantly reduce the risk for depression and increase well-being among LGBTQ youth”.
  • If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.
Share this post
Copy share link
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Twitter
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Health
Education & Family
Youth
Press Releases & Statements

Related posts

Read more to stay up-to-date on the latest Health happenings at One Colorado.

View all
Health

Stronger Nondiscrimination Protections in the Affordable Care Act

On April 29th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule under Section 1557, the core nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act.
Health

National LGBTQIA+ Health Awareness Week

Explore healthcare and advocacy resources across Colorado.
Health

Call on Children’s Hospital to Show their Commitment to People who Need Gender-Affirming Care

The LGBTQ+ community and our allies in Colorado are calling on Children's Hospital to be clear about their commitment to providing gender-affirming care to people who are trans or gender-expansive. Read more and sign on to our open letter.

Stay in the know

Get updates on LGBTQ+ news, events, and ways to be involved!
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 396-6170info@one-colorado.org
One Colorado
Our Focus
Take Action
Progress
Resources
Programs
Latest
Donate
Events
Action Fund
State Advocacy
Legislative Reports
Legislation Tracker
Endorsements
Donate
General
Team
Careers
Contact
Board Login
© 2023 One Colorado. All rights reserved.
Branding and website by Luum Studio
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of ServiceCookies Settings