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COVID-19: Racism Is Like That
1Department of Health Professions, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
The COVID-19 pandemic and racism share striking similarities, impacting health and well-being. Both require protective measures and have disproportionately affected Black communities, highlighting systemic inequalities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Health Equity
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and exacerbated existing societal inequalities.
- Racism has a long history in America, creating deep-seated disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To draw parallels between the impacts of COVID-19 and racism.
- To highlight the disproportionate burden of both on communities of color, particularly Black Americans.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of the effects of COVID-19 and racism.
- Qualitative examination of shared characteristics and societal responses.
Main Results:
- Both COVID-19 and racism lack natural immunity and require protective measures (masks, physical distancing).
- Both have historically and currently inflicted harm, anxiety, and fear, especially on Black individuals.
- Communities of color have been disproportionately punished by COVID-19, mirroring the effects of systemic racism.
Conclusions:
- The societal impact of COVID-19 mirrors the detrimental effects of racism.
- Addressing COVID-19 requires acknowledging and rectifying the systemic issues highlighted by racism.
- The exhaustion felt by America regarding COVID-19 is a fraction of the chronic burden carried by Black communities due to racism.
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