The link between COVID-19 and George Floyd’s death
Ankur Sharma
Ankur Sharma is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He recently completed a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health.
Systemic racism and COVID-19 are both invisible and potentially deadly. Both are spread by fellow human beings and more likely to kill African Americans.
Topics
COVID-19 George Floyd protestsRelated stories
The poor, African Americans face worst of coronavirus
In Memphis, 75% of the fatal cases have been African Americans. The underlying health disparities that make them vulnerable aren't new; coronavirus reveals the repercussions.
Health care leaders: Racism is another pandemic
We, the leaders of the health care systems in the Mid-South, recognize that we must continue to do better in reaching at-risk populations. We must develop more effective intervention strategies. We must make engaging with our system easier and more practical.
Doing the right thing is complicated, as protest and pandemic collide
The public protests of the past week would seem to violate current health directives against mass gatherings of 50 or more. Given the cause for the gatherings, it would be a mistake for officials to use that as a pretext for breaking them up. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t worry about them.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.