News1 min ago
Covid Is Racist
according to several pundits. Black and brown people are much more likely to catch it both here and in the US. Any ideas why?
Answers
Somewhere there is a list, with pictures, of all the NHS workers who have died of covid and most of those were from the ethnic minorities. Very sad really.
12:54 Fri 10th Apr 2020
Spicerack
It's not so much that Covid-19 is racist (it can't be anyway as it's not not a sentient being). What's being pointed out is that there is a disproportionate number of people from ethnic minority backgrounds falling ill.
Studies have shown people with south Asian backgrounds have a higher prevalence of diabetes and heart disease, which are two of the health conditions that puts people in the higher risk categories for Covid-19.
Then there's the issue of self-isolation being a problem - families from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to living in multi-generational households.
It's not so much that Covid-19 is racist (it can't be anyway as it's not not a sentient being). What's being pointed out is that there is a disproportionate number of people from ethnic minority backgrounds falling ill.
Studies have shown people with south Asian backgrounds have a higher prevalence of diabetes and heart disease, which are two of the health conditions that puts people in the higher risk categories for Covid-19.
Then there's the issue of self-isolation being a problem - families from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to living in multi-generational households.
My understanding from everything I have read and heard is that infection is completely indiscriminate regarding ethnicity, gender, make of shoes, colour of clothing, etc., even age as well, all of this in equal conditions of exposure - everyone is infected to the same likelihood when exposed to the virus. It is widely believed that infection affects the young less severely and that in the general population perhaps as many as 50% of those infected (all ages perhaps) never get any symptoms. However, there is evidence, at least in the USA, that ethnicity matters when it comes to how badly the illness affects people. The statement I came across somewhere recently was that in the USA the ethnic minorities tend to be poorer, less well nourished (quality of diet), more overweight, more likely to have diabetes, etc., etc. In other words, that they are less fit to fight off the infection, that they therefore become more ill and consequently are more likely to die as a result. This may well be similar elsewhere, not so much an ethnic predisposition but one by lifestyle and in particular lower income and/or poverty.
KARL
I've read something similar, and I agree that the disease is indiscriminate, but the clinical outcome can depend on what you do for a living, how old you are, and whether you're a smoker or obese.
So yes - I see what you mean. I think that the disease *is* indiscriminate, but your outcome is dependent on the factors listed above.
I've read something similar, and I agree that the disease is indiscriminate, but the clinical outcome can depend on what you do for a living, how old you are, and whether you're a smoker or obese.
So yes - I see what you mean. I think that the disease *is* indiscriminate, but your outcome is dependent on the factors listed above.
