Blog: The inequality of the pandemic

By Christina McAnea, UNSION assistant general secretary The evidence of COVID-19’s devastating impact on Black workers should shock us all. We don’t yet have the whole picture. Undoubtedly, the reasons are complex.   But too many of the theories flying around imply Black communities are in some way responsible for the devastating toll on them. Lifestyle, family structure, eating habits, language barriers. The list goes on. This victim–blaming absolves policy makers and employers of responsibility at exactly the time when we need urgent action to address the increased risk. We don’t want knee-jerk reactions.   The answer is not to pull all Black staff away from COVID hotspots. We want exactly what we have been demanding since day one. Proper risk assessments for ALL staff, including a sensitive assessment of underlying health conditions that put staff at increased risk.   We want every worker to have the correct protective equipment for their role, taking account of their individual needs and circumstances. We want equality impact assessment built into risk management. Individual risk assessments –yes – but these must be alongside checks for patterns of inequality across teams and departments.  The focus is rightly on Black staff at the moment. But members of all equality groups are facing COVID challenges. And Black staff are not simply defined by race. They are also women, carers, LGBT+, young, ol...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Blogs black members coronavirus Covid-19 equality Source Type: news