By Tiffany Tyler-Garner

There’s been much discussion about flattening the COVID-19 curve — a conversation that is unfolding amid civil unrest, a severe economic downturn and myriad social issues made worse by both. As we consider our actions in the aftermath of the pandemic, we must also consider what will become of the safety net that ensures we will all recover together. 

Currently, many Nevadans are a meal away from hunger, a lifted eviction moratorium away from homelessness or an unemployment check away from destitution. Vital resources including food assistance, child care assistance and subsidized healthcare insurance are usually provided by a blend of federal and state funding, but these resources can be lost if we do not match our will with state investment. Accordingly, we must be clear about our will.

The adage, “Tell me where your treasure lies, and I will tell you where your heart is” calls to us. In past hard times, we also have grappled with housing instability, food insecurity and lack of health care access for the most vulnerable among us, while wondering how we could ensure that education was the great social equalizer we have long touted. Now, we must again decide whether we will balance our state budget on the backs of children and already hurting families. 

As a state, we weathered the Great Recession, demonstrating an uncommon resilience in the face of great challenge. However, we also must frankly ask: in what manner did we overcome the recession, and did everyone really recover? The truth is that the much-mentioned recovery never came for some Nevadans.

Today, we find ourselves facing a similar yet even more insidious challenge: Who will be crushed and who will recover from the pandemic? The challenge of balancing our state budget when social needs are high requires an intentional commitment to those who find themselves at the crossroads of poverty and housing and food insecurity. Consider this:

— 177,000 children in Nevada, or about 26 percent, live in families that receive public assistance.

— An estimated 434,000 individuals have lost their employer-based insurance coverage because of the pandemic, 59 percent of whom are Medicaid-eligible.

— Nevada is at risk for losing 42 percent (approximately 17,000) of its child care slots because of programs that are in jeopardy amid the pandemic.

— The annual cost of infant child care in Nevada is $11,107, almost $3,000 more than it costs to attend one of our public four-year universities. Moreover, single parents in Nevada pay an average of 37.7 percent of their income for center-based infant child care, while married parents of two children living at the poverty line pay 79.4 percent of their household income for center-based child care.

— Almost 400,000 people in Nevada are food insecure; of those, 134,000 are children.

— In Nevada during the pandemic, 30.9 percent of adults surveyed missed rent, a mortgage payment, or had slight to no confidence that their household could pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time.

— A study examining the experience of current and former foster youth during the pandemic found that 55 percent reported being food insecure, 31 percent lost access to education supports and 52 percent experienced negative impacts to their health/mental health care.

These numbers and trends suggest that many serious social issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The situation requires an uncommon level of conviction about ensuring the well-being of those in our community who do not possess the resources or tools to dig themselves out. While no one could have anticipated the fallout of COVID-19, we each are charged with developing a roadmap to ensure recovery — one that must and should include EVERY Nevadan. 

Soon, leaders across our state will convene to begin righting our financial ship. Minimally, we must not cut the safety net or key supports that enable Nevadans and their children to live, learn and grow physically, emotionally and economically. Additionally, we must ensure there is responsiveness to need and equity at the center of our approach. Lastly, the process should be participatory. Just as we asked all Nevadans to do their part in flattening the curve, we should empower all Nevadans to help with the difficult decisions ahead by including their voices.

Dr. Tiffany Tyler-Garner is the executive director of the Children's Advocacy Alliance.