Collecting race-based data, during coronavirus pandemic, may fuel dangerous prejudices - Caribbean

WEB - Pride (web version) - Ajax, 30/05/2020 - COMMENTARY, English

Image Source: Pride website

Summary: Sachil Singh - A few local Canadian authorities have started tracking the racial data of those infected with COVID-19. However, when race data is collected, to understand the social determinants of health, it could inadvertently, legitimate biological understandings of race. Further, when race data is used in these circumstances, it creates more scope to arrive at racist responses to a pandemic, than it does to address social vulnerabilities, like the poor work conditions of minority populations in essential services. Ontario now says it will collect race-based data during the pandemic, and Dr. David Williams’ revised position certainly eases tensions, with a coalition of Black health leaders that has called for attention to race. Endorsed by 192 organizations and 1,612 individuals, the coalition wrote an open letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other provincial officials. It argues for “the collection and use of socio-demographic and race-based data in health and social services … as it relates to COVID-19”. But the use of race data may be problematic, because links between health conditions and race have been connected to discriminatory outcomes, in the past. If race-based data collection is to be attached to COVID-19 in Ontario, then attention should be given to what happens, when medical conditions are associated with one’s race. A call for increased racial surveillance potentially fuels racism.

Link to original article: http://pridenews.ca/2020/05/30/collecting-race-based-data-coronavirus-pandemic-may-fuel-dangerous-prejudices/