Rural America emerges into recovery ill-prepared for COVID-19’s spread

May 22, 2020

While major cities remain the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in our country, COVID-19 cases are surging in rural states like Nebraska. 

The coronavirus presents a significant challenge in rural areas across the U.S. With luck, lower population densities, and a more home-based lifestyle should generally help tamp down the spread of the virus. On the other hand, rural health care systems are smaller and more isolated. Rural populations also tend to be poorer and more prone to some underlying conditions that make COVID-19 more lethal. 

Op-ed by Soumitra Bhuyan, MHA candidate Aakankshya Deoli, and Jay Bhatt, Becker’s Hospital Review, May 21, 2020

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