There is no stopping COVID-19 without addressing structural violence and racism
The ongoing global protests against police brutality in the United States and the structural racism that enables it, remind us that racism is detrimental, and deadly. As such, racism and structural manifestations are a major public health concern and compound with other issues like COVID-19 to magnify negative impacts on dignity, and on morbidity and mortality.
A recent study by the U.K. Government shows how the risk of death from COVID-19 for ethnic minorities is 10-50% higher risk. The WHO expressed support of the global movement and clarified that attending a mass gathering did not necessarily require more restrictive measures. Instead, WHO officials urged protesters to follow local guidelines in maintaining safe practices, including physical distancing, masks and hand washing.