âLife itself is my present this yearâ Obstacles in the health care system make access to treatment and recovery dangerously difficult for many Latinos with COVID-19 Agustin Maldonado, an Oregon Catholic who had a life-threatening case of COVID-19, prays the rosary in front of his familyâs shrine Dec. 4. Maldonado says his experience with the coronavirus was horrific, but he found solace in his faith and feels he gained spiritual insights amid suffering. (Courtesy Maldonado family) select "There are ongoing disparities in the medical system for people of color and the undocumented, and with COVID-19 those put our community in more vulnerable and life-threatening situations," said Olivia Quiroz, executive director of the Oregon Latino Health Coalition.