The Recurrence of COVID-19 in New York State and New York City

This book explores the second wave of COVID-19 in New York State and City, analyzing infection patterns, socioeconomic factors, and the role of political affiliations, while advocating for community-driven pandemic response planning.

The Recurrence of COVID-19 in New York State and New York City serves as a follow-up to the earlier work that explored how longstanding discriminatory public policies contributed to the Bronx becoming a hotspot during the initial COVID-19 wave. This new volume delves into the factors leading up to and following the second wave of COVID-19 across New York State's 62 counties and the 152 ZIP Code areas of New York City's four central boroughs. Unlike the first wave, where New York City was the epicenter, the second wave saw high-incidence counties just outside the state emerge as initial hotspots, which subsequently spread the virus to neighboring areas.

The book highlights significant socioeconomic differences between rural and urban counties in New York State during the peak of infections. Interestingly, prior to the peak, there was no clear correlation between socioeconomic factors and infection rates; instead, political and cultural affiliations, particularly the percentage of votes for Trump in the 2020 election, emerged as a key factor. This correlation diminished by mid-January 2021. In New York City, the Bronx again exhibited high infection rates, distinguishing itself from the other boroughs, which displayed a mix of high and low incidence areas.

Concluding with recommendations for effective pandemic response strategies, the book advocates for empowering communities and fostering collaborative relationships between health departments and local workers. It serves as a valuable resource for various stakeholders, including social epidemiologists, public health researchers, and students, as well as those involved in civil rights and public policy.