Americans Most Likely to Be Infected: the Faithful, Jailed or Old
Across the U.S., nursing homes, prisons and houses of worship are danger spots
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Seventy-one people connected to a church in California fell ill. Twenty-one inmates and guards were sickened at a Georgia prison that holds 730 people. More than 260 residents of New Jersey nursing homes died.
As Americans contend with the Covid-19 pandemic, homes for the elderly and disabled, prisons and places of worship are proving particularly stubborn hotspots. Dozens of nursing homes across 42 states have suffered outbreaks, and 23 states have reported cases in correctional facilities. At least 11 clusters of infection have been tied to houses of worship, including churches in Alabama, Arkansas, California and Illinois.
Lack of testing and equipment shortages are the most visible challenges. But the failure to protect the helpless old and the shunned prisoners — or to brave the taboo of shutting down a Sunday sermon — may prolong the virus’ grip.