Five years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States continues to confront the lingering effects of a crisis that claimed millions of lives worldwide. The pandemic not only revealed but also intensified existing flaws within the nation’s healthcare system and social safety measures.

In her compelling book, “Disposable: America’s Contempt for the Underclass,” journalist Sarah Jones sheds light on these disparities, presenting a well-researched, insightful, and compassionate examination of the communities that faced the brunt of the pandemic’s impact.

Jones embarks on a poignant exploration of how the pandemic disproportionately affected lower-income, Black, and Latino populations, illustrating the far-reaching consequences that swept through various demographics from nursing home inhabitants to front-line healthcare workers.

“Like all major disasters, the pandemic is a moment of revelation,” Jones asserts. “Through it, we see America as it is, and not as we would like it to be.”

She reinforces her argument with shocking data and statistics that expose the long-standing inadequacies in healthcare, worker safety, and other crucial infrastructures, which aggravated the pandemic’s effects.

However, it is the heartfelt narratives Jones collects from families who suffered losses due to COVID-19 that resonate most deeply. Among these stories is her own family’s experience, including the heartbreaking account of her grandfather’s struggle with the virus.

Despite the persistent gaps in healthcare and social support, Jones conveys a sense of optimism. She suggests that by documenting these struggles, her work serves as a tribute that may inspire future actions towards improvements in these critical areas.