Coronavirus has made the digital divide more dangerous than ever

Living indoors to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, millions of Americans are turning to the Internet to meet their most pressing needs. This massive shift online poses troubling barriers to the least digitally connected Americans. The disconnectedness may force individuals to make devastating decisions and undermine the fight against the coronavirus. Low-income patients are visiting clinics in person, and increasing the risk of virus spread, because they “could not afford to use voice minutes to call ahead.” Initial actions by the Federal Communications Commission are insufficient in a time when the strength of an Internet connection mediates access to critical information, remote work opportunities, remote health services and more.  In the emergency coronavirus relief bill, Congress ignored calls to appropriate sufficient direct funds for schools and libraries to provide WiFi hotspots for students without Internet access at home. More legislation is likely to follow; funding these hotspots for students should be a priority. For social distancing to work, home-isolation has to be bearable for everyone. That means recognizing and addressing the needs of Americans who are the least digitally connected.