Thread:
Let’s stop repeating the trope that #Covid19 doesn’t discriminate. It does.
The over 70s have a 68% death rate. Men die more than women (61% in the UK). And 35% of UK patients were non-white, nearly triple the 13% proportion in UK population as a whole

14% of those with the most serious cases were South Asian & the same proportion were black. The median age of those in a critical condition was 61 and of those almost 3/4 were men.

Government figures confirm that cramped housing is a bigger problem for ethnic minorities. 30% of UK Bangladeshi population are considered to live in overcrowded housing compared with 2% among white Brits. 16% of Pakistanis also live in overcrowded conditions, as do 15% of blacks

In London more than 25% of critical transport workers operating tubes and buses, obliged to keep working during the lockdown, are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Young, white women & children are the safest group.

This study was conducted by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre. It is thought to be the first analysis of its kind anywhere in the world looking at the ethnic breakdown of cases of the virus.

Health is behind the age disparities, biology behind gender disparities & poverty behind racial disparities. As a result, the outcomes of the virus will be discriminatory. Middle classes, don’t be too preachy, social distancing & self-isolation is a privilege.

Thank you @Robert_Booth for the write up https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/07/bame-groups-hit-harder-covid-19-than-white-people-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

By the way, this has implications for (as a check against) over zealous policing. I have suspected that some of those breaking the social distancing guidelines are living in inner-city, cramped housing & don’t have anywhere else to go but parks. This research supports that theory

What has been frustrating to behold is seeing those who ordinarily contextualise how poverty can lead to crime, unhealthier lifestyle & riskier behaviour, suddenly turn to policing, authoritarianism & judgementalism on those who may not have the *privilege* to socially distance