Hi, I’m Adriana Gallardo, an engagement reporter at ProPublica. My latest feature, written with Ariel Goodman, on undocumented essential workers in New York City, just published this morning. I hope you’ll take some time this weekend to read it.
As stats about the coronavirus have started to come in, it’s clear that Latinos and particularly undocumented Latinos are among the hardest hit, but the grieving families in those communities seem to mostly be featured as data points in headlines.
When the hardest hit speak of their losses, they call them by their first names. Almost everyone we spoke to knew someone who died or nearly died. While it can be easy to focus on all they lack as undocumented residents, we met die-hard New Yorkers who rattled off their train routes, neighborhood joints and places they enjoyed with their families in the city.
If you’re a worker, I hope you feel seen with respect in this piece. Whatever city or community you live in, I hope you recognize that some of its members are extra isolated and might be able to use help.
