Coronavirus: Are Latinos Extra Vulnerable To COVID-19? Study Suggests Yes

The COVID-19 outbreak ravaged countries across the globe. Despite almost anyone being susceptible to getting infected, researchers infer that Latinos, Native Americans and Blacks are more vulnerable to complications like coronavirus.

The observation could be attributed to the lives of the marginalized communities—underlying health conditions, lack of adequate access to medical facilities. As per a report on a media outlet, Dr Ashwin Vasan, a public health expert ascertained that the burden of the crisis will be divided unequally. “The virus is an equal opportunity crisis … but the impact and the burden of it is not going to be shared equally,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, who’s also an assistant professor at Columbia University in New York City. “Like most things in society, it's going to be regressive. It's going to be felt disproportionately by the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized and obviously that falls down in this country on communities of color,” he added.

While statistics are yet to prove how vastly coronavirus is spreading in those countries, Vasan stressed on the need of the hour—the need for government bodies to map out which community is in dire need of access to care, resources and testing.

The gnawing wealth disparity between the people of color and whites is no open secret. What’s even distressing to note is the reported complacency in the healthcare system, while treating people of color. Dr. Melissa Clarke, the author of “Excuse Me Doctor! I’ve Got What?”, opined in one of her recent media interactions that medical professionals ran a high risk of getting caught for undermining the severity of the situations as people of color dropped by for a consultation.

With the rising number of cases tested positive, experts stressed the need for funding for healthcare units that treat minority communities. Advocates are infuriated at how Congress and Trump’s Administration haven’t invested enough to inform and educate marginalized communities about the impact of the viral outbreak. Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., an emergency room physician opined that the lack of clarity and proactiveness on the part of the government is harrowing, to say the least—given how the outbreak has left things spiraling out of control.