Although experts and the media continue to inform us about the likely deadliness of COVID-19 as it relates to age groups, the effect of race hasn't received as much attention. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that “Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put some members of racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting COVID-19 or experiencing severe illness, regardless of age.” Let’s talk about it.
The latest data from the CDC is showing that Black Americans are twice as likely as White Americans to test positive for the virus when their overall population share is taken into account. On top of this, once a Black American has COVID-19, they are 2-6x more likely to die from it than their infected White counterparts. These facts may shock you, but the reason behind them is sadly familiar- racism is largely to blame.
“The reason for these disparities is not biological but is the result of the deep-rooted and pervasive impacts of racism.”
The context for the racial disparities here is generally two-fold: Black Americans are more likely to be exposed to the virus, and, once infected, live in environments that contribute to underlying health issues that make COVID-19 more deadly.
The higher rates of exposure come from a couple of factors. First, Black Americans are overrepresented in service industry jobs (see our post about Hiring Discrimination). As summed up in the Scientific American, Black overrepresentation in the service industry is “tied to residential and educational segregation in this country. If you have a poor neighborhood, then you’ll have poorly funded schools, which often results in poor education outcomes and another generation lost. When you have poor educational outcomes, you have limited employment opportunities.” Many service jobs have been deemed “essential” during this pandemic and are continuing their operation, despite a potential lack of having protective measures and equipment in place to safely do so. On top of this, Black people are overrepresented in high exposure risk situations such as more crowded living situations, detention centers and prisons, and those experiencing homelessness to mention a few.
Having underlying health conditions correlates to the predicted deadliness of COVID-19, and Black Americans are statistically more likely to live in environments that contribute to those underlying health conditions. For example, higher rates of chronic illness are tied to breathing in polluted air and drinking poisoned water (ex. Flint’s ongoing water crisis), and POC are more likely to be living in areas where this is a concern. Also, Black Americans are more likely to be living in a “food desert” where healthy food options are either barely available or aren’t found at all. Food deserts are correlated to populations with increased levels of obesity and diabetes, both of which increase the likely severity of COVID-19.
Please note that the reasons listed above merely scratch the surface, and that aspects like access to and trust in the healthcare system are also crucial parts of this context. In short, “these disparities [in COVID-19 exposure and death] are the outcomes of several varied instances of systemic racism that regularly and systematically devalue and treat Black lives as disposable.”
Of course, the coronavirus is not the only pandemic that the United States is dealing with right now. In the Code Switch by NPR podcast, Why Now, White People?, co-host Gene Demby poses a question to his White Instagram followers about why so many of them have just now begun to involve themselves in the Black Lives Matter movement. One of his followers responded by pointing out how the pandemic has shifted their priorities. The unnamed follower stated “staying alive in America can be a true struggle and is a thing many White people take for granted.” Another follower responded by saying “During COVID I literally can not turn to the things that usually distract me.” Co-host Shereen Marisol Meraji then poses the question of whether the increase of support for this movement was correlated to the pandemic.
As discussed in our recent blog post Systemic Racism: What it is and How it’s Harmful, during this pandemic, Black Americans are facing higher rates of unemployment than their White counterparts. Although there are no accurate surveys to confirm, it is important to discuss that the high unemployment rates and the stay at home orders may be an influencing factor in how much momentum has compiled after the death of Georrge Floyd. Are they connected? And if so, how connected are they?
The mere fact that the conditions that Black Americans are facing is forcing them to take to the streets and protest during a pandemic goes to show the severity of police brutality and racism in this country. Taking into account how disproportionately affected Black Americans are by COVID-19, it is deeply upsetting that losing their lives to police brutality is yet another concern they must continue to carry through a pandemic.
Police officers have often used very particular tactics to gain control of protestors. However, during this pandemic these tactics have simply become a danger to the lives of protestors, especially Black protestors. One of these tactics is known as “kettling.” Kettling takes place when police officers surround or block streets in order to guide protestors into a specific area and crowd them together. This tactic is especially dangerous during the pandemic because protestos are given little to no room to social distance, increasing the likelihood of contracting the virus.
Another extremely dangerous tactic being used right now is tear gassing and pepper spraying large crowds in an attempt to disperse protestors or incentivise them to leave. Besides the fact that both tear gas and pepper spray are extremely painful, this tactic may also increase the likelihood of spreading the virus. Tear gas causes one's body to violently cough and inhale air in. Because tear gas can cause a feeling of being unable to breathe, this makes people more likely to take off their masks and exposes them to either spreading or contracting the virus. Both of these tactics are used by police officers in order to gain control over protesters.
Because of how extra dangerous it may be to be protesting during a pandemic, we would like to provide you with some helpful tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe if you decide to do so. First, you should wear a mask at all times while you are out at a protest. The most effective way to wear your mask is to ensure that both your mouth and nose are covered. Next, try to maintain a social distance from other protestors whenever possible. Third, use hand sanitizer as frequently as possible and avoid touching your face. Once you arrive home from a protest, you should wash your hands thoroughly and head into the shower immediately. Make sure to put on a fresh pair of clothes and put all of your protest clothes in the hamper. Finally, if you live with an elderly or immunocompromised individual please attempt to isolate from them even if you are not showing symptoms.
Here’s to the perseverance of healthcare workers, researchers, activists, and all of those making “good trouble”- we can’t wait to see the day when both the pandemics of COVID-19 and racism are cured.