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Who Missed More Work? The COVID Absence Gap

You’ve probably heard about how COVID-19 kept people out of work, but have you ever wondered if the length of those absences was the same for everyone? Imagine living in a community where a two-week quarantine is a financial strain, versus one where paid sick leave is the norm. Using open data from the CDC, you can explore whether higher-poverty counties saw longer work absences during the pandemic. This isn't just about numbers—it's about understanding the hidden disparities that shaped our collective experience. By looking at county-level poverty rates and days missed, you'll uncover patterns that might surprise you. Could income really determine how long someone could afford to be away from work? Let's dig into the data and see what story it tells.

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  Think back to the start of the pandemic: Did you or someone you know have to miss work because of COVID-19? How long was that absence?

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  In your opinion, what factors do you think influenced whether someone could take time off work during the pandemic—like having paid leave or a job that allowed remote work?

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  Based on your own observations, do you think wealthier communities were able to afford longer absences from work compared to lower-income communities? Why or why not?