networks to expand access to consultation services, access to testing (PCR and rapid), assured supply of medicines, equipping of hospitals and clinics, along with targeted Public Health interventions for the detection of cases in communities. In this study, many interviewees reported having experienced discriminatory attitudes from healthcare service providers, leading to second-class treatment in comparison to insured persons who receive priority care. These reports coincide with Martínez’ findings regarding the discrimination felt by migrant women and descendants of migrants in their access to healthcare services (Martinez 2018). Access to sexual and reproductive health services for women is becoming hindered by nationalist, antiHaitian rhetoric raising concerns about the cost to the state of providing service to Haitian migrant women (in practice, stateless descendants are grouped in with undocumented migrants). This has led to a policy proposal of the Dominican Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to charge for services. In November 2020 President Luis Abinader addressed the issue in his 100-days-in-office speech, claiming the Dominican health care system cannot sustain the cost of attending so many pregnant Haitian women (again, this includes stateless descendants).11 In recent years, there have also been military and border security inspections of hospitals in the border region searching for pregnant women who may be “illegally” using services (OBMICA 2018a: 254-255). Although study participants have not reported any personal experiences of abuse related to COVID-19, the official discourse of excluding undocumented people from the national vaccination campaign (EFE 2021) tends to create a hostile environment. In turn, this fosters vaccine hesitancy among a population that already has certain misconceptions, as is common among populations with low education levels. b) Knowledge about the virus and prevention measures efforts by the authorities, the United Nations System and NGOs to reach the migrant population with oral messages in Kreyol and Spanish, using local radio stations, among other means. The Dominican state’s dissemination of information based on scientific evidence aimed at reducing speculation and misinformation, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has called an ‘infodemic,’ has been important. It seems that the production of radio and television spots, printed material, use of social networks, and permanent communication through an internet platform and daily bulletins (initially televised) has produced some positive outcomes. As a result, study participants demonstrate understanding of the importance of frequent hand washing, mask use, and social distancing. At the same time, misinformation is present in rural populations with low education levels. For example, some people claim that the coronavirus can be cured with herbal teas or belief in God. They sometimes confuse other public health messaging with COVID-19 prevention. For example, some interviewees emphasized not accumulating garbage or the need to keep children clean. Dependence on informal livelihoods makes it impossible for people to stay home. Most study participants live below the poverty level and work informally, as is the norm in Latin America where more than half of the population works this way. This means that they must go out to work in order to earn their livelihood, making it difficult to respect the lockdown and curfew measures in place. Some people have been able to access the appropriate personal protective equipment for their occupations (especially in agriculture), but many interviewees had not. Many do not have reliable running water in their own homes, making frequent hand washing difficult. Only one participant acknowledged a known case of coronavirus in her immediate family circle. Marcia, a young Dominican of Haitian descent from Group A with restored documents, shared the following about her husband, while also clarifying that she was not infected, according to the negative test she received: In general, study participants had received messaging about the prevention of COVID-19. This is likely due to “So, the situation as they say, was that I was already living with him in the house, but I would make him his tea. He had the symptoms and after a certain time, they detected it at work. You know that he works in the [Central Sugar Cane Consortium.”12 See https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2020/11/25/645670/ luis-abinader-la-salud-dominicana-no-puede-y-no-soporta-lacantidad-de-parturientas-haitianas 12. The Central Sugar Consortium (CAC, in Spanish), run by Guatemalan investors, is an important employer in the area and uses measures to detect and control COVID-19 within the workplace. 11. Research Brief: COVID-19 Impacts on Haitian Migrants and their Descendants on the Southern Border of the D.R. 21