Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities are home to large numbers of vulnerable populations, including immigrants and people experiencing homelessness. This week on Gateways, Ben talks to experts about why certain populations are even more at risk when it comes to COVID-19, and how Gateway Cities can respond.

His first guest, Kristina Kimani, the coalition and advocacy manager for the Massachusetts Public Health Association, shares how public health authorities can keep these communities and the general public connected to the right resources.

His next guest is Jessica Collins, executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Collins’ organization serves an especially threatened population, as Springfield suffers some of the highest asthma rates in the country. COVID-19, a disease with upper respiratory symptoms, poses a great danger to this community particularly. Collins also stresses the importance of statewide policies such as  decarceration, emergency homeless services, and paid sick leave during this uncertain time.