Full Citation
Title: Ensuring the Continued Functionality of Essential Critical Infrastructure Industries by Estimating the Workforce Impacts of COVID-19
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2020
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Abstract: While many workers have been sent home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, those in our critical infrastructure industries are more essential than ever. In particular, it is vital that workers involved in the production and distribution of food continue to work to ensure ample food for our population. Here we outline three major concerns that might influence the ability of workers in these industries to continue showing up to work: new childcare obligations amid school closures, pre-existing conditions that put workers at-risk for developing complications if they contract COVID-19, and loss of wages if unable to work. We estimate that nearly 200,000 children in Colorado will require at-home parental supervision and have parents employed in essential critical infrastructure industries; 8,000 of these children have parents in essential food systems industries. We estimate that 157,000 Colorado workers in essential critical businesses are over 60 and have a pre-existing health condition, putting them at high risk of developing complications if they contract COVID-19, and 38,000 of these workers are in food systems industries. We estimate that at risk workers in Colorado’s essential critical industries have average weekly earnings of $1,137 and those within the food system have earnings of nearly $1,490.
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Authors: Bayham, Jude; Hill, Alexandra
Publisher: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Data Collections: IPUMS CPS, IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Health, Labor Force and Occupational Structure
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