Submission of evidence on the disproportionate impact of COVID 19, and the UK government response, on ethnic minorities and women in the UK
Alexis Paton, Gary Fooks, Gaja Maestri, Pam Lowe
Abstract
In this submission, we discuss why women and people from ethnic backgrounds (BAME) are, and will be, negatively affected by the COVID-19 virus and the government response. We describe how COVID-19 exacerbates underlying health inequalities. We highlight how existing medical guidance compound these inequalities by failing to take them into account. We discuss the negative effects that pandemic measures have had on women, in particular women asylum- seekers and women seeking reproductive health services. Finally, we present recommendations for short and long-term change to the pandemic response to avoid further harm and discrimination of people with these protected characteristics.
Topics & Concepts
HarmEthnic groupGovernment (linguistics)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicInequalityPolitical scienceRefugee2019-20 coronavirus outbreakCriminologyMedicinePsychologyGender studiesSociologyLawVirologyDiseaseOutbreakPhilosophyMathematicsInfectious disease (medical specialty)Mathematical analysisPathologyLinguisticsHealthcare Systems and ChallengesGender Politics and RepresentationMigration, Health and Trauma