‘Discrimination’ May Be Factor In Disproportionate B A M E Deaths Among Nhs Staff

[naomi24]

//Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) medics and healthcare workers say "systemic discrimination" on the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak may be a factor in the disproportionate number of their colleagues who have died after contracting the virus.//

https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-13/discrimination-frontline-coronavirus-covid19-black-minority-ethnic-bame-deaths-nhs-racism/

Why then are deaths among ethnic minorities disproportionately higher outside the NHS too? I think another reason needs to be sought.

[royfromaus]

It's been having me shake my head since teatime.

[naomi24]

Curious, eh roy?

[douglas9401]

Maybe baroness Lawrence could investigate.

[Spicerack]

Hardly surprising. They write all the damned signs in English.

[zebo]

To bandy about claims of discrimination is foolish, there are far more factors involved, the higher proportion has been found in other countries too and of people not on the front line. The claim is that there are genetic reasons involved.

[jim360]

It may be a contributing factor in the NHS, but not the only one. I shouldn't be surprised if there were multiple factors at play.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the claim in the article. I have literally no information one way or another.

[Mozz71]

Isn't a contributing factor simply the sheer number of BAME NHS staff in some areas? There are many BAME doctors, both GPs and NHS, especially of Asian countries in the UK. That's obviously not a bad thing, but of course it will make the death rate look lopsided.

If the BAME community were at a higher risk, wouldn't figures in Africa and the Indian peninsula be worse than they are?

[naomi24]

zebo, quite. It's happening everywhere.

[archibaldy]

As far as I can work out the article isn't about the percentage of infected BAME vs white people that end up dying.

It's about the increased exposure of BAME people to get infected in the first place which could be down to them being in riskier situations if the article is to be believed.

[Spicerack]

https://twitter.com/AgainWoodsy/status/1253982582296977408

[naomi24]

archibaldy, we're aware of that. The question is //Why then are deaths among ethnic minorities disproportionately higher outside the NHS too?//

[archibaldy]

Just pointing out that the quoted article has nothing to do with that question.

There's no conclusive answer, but it could be biological or average overall health in that demographic.

[naomi24]

It has everything to do with the question, Archibaldy. It's suggested that discrimination could be to blame for the disproportionate number of deaths in the NHS among ethnic minority workers - but exactly the same thing is happening outside the NHS - and in other countries too. We can hardly blame discrimination for that can we.

[archibaldy]

The article although poorly written is about discrimination leading to increased exposure.

Your question on the face of it was purely about death rate after infection.

[naomi24]

Everyone else seems to have understood the question, Archibaldy, so I thought it was clear enough, but not to worry. Hopefully I’ve clarified it for you now.

[ToraToraTora]

I have no idea but I saw a brief report that they are now looking at the genetic differences. Clearly there is some knowledge to be gained.

[Theland]

It appears to be very complicated, and I would guess there are many contributory factors.
I am wary, and not surprised that this terrible and uneven situation has been jumped on by the politically correct social justice warriors to push their claims of widespread racism.
Racism undoubtedly exists and maybe a minor factor, but not on the scale as has been suggested, in my opinion.

[Theland]

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-05-11-under-covid-19-racism-in-britain-and-the-world-is-a-matter-of-life-and-death/

No surprises from this SJW.

[archibaldy]

Yes it's clear and the answer is that discrimination if happening can be blamed for increased exposure but not for the death rate after infection.

[retrocop]

I thought there already had been world-wide medical assumptions for the higher infection and morbidity rate of BAME people.
Obesity, Hypertension and Diabetes with a bit of coranary/Vascular disease thrown in.
There was a black 'acting' Sister on the News tonight shouting the race card. The whiteys were throwing them into covid rich environments and working less hours than the BAME contingent in the NHS. It was patently obvious that her BMI was in excess of a recommended mass index and I reckon any other medical professional would describe her as morbidly obese.
Perhaps cavalier and slip shod work practices may have some bearing on the matter. I have witnessed that on several occasions during my too numerous hospital admissions.
There appears a load of complacency and ignorance among some BAME and other visitors to this country.
On tonights London News slot there was a report showing people using London Transport who were reluctant to use masks.
An Eastern European lady stated she 'thought she had already had covid and so I am cured. I don't need a mask anymore.' A black gentleman heroically stated hesitatingly, 'I er actually don't have er a fear of death'. Thanks peeps. What about the rest of us you could infect.
I suppose we are hearing the racism mantra, as we always do, in the hope of more compensation.
After Grenfell the Fire Brigade was accused of racism. Now the NHS get there turn at the government enquiry to be accused of institutionalised racism. We are all in this together and it doesn't discriminate.Start investigating medical possibilities and causes first.
At this rate the higher incidence of Sickle Cell anaemia amongst BAME will be given racist accusations