Fauci says pandemic exposed ‘undeniable effects of racism’
At Atlanta’s Emory University during a graduation speech, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that correcting societal wrongs will take a commitment of decades.
On Sunday according to the immunologist, ATLANTA who leads the Covid-19 response in the United States “the undeniable effects of racism” have led to unacceptable health disparities that especially hurt African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans through the pandemic.
During a graduation speech for Emory University. Dr. Anthony Fauci said: “Covid-19 has shown a bright light on our own society’s failings,” In Atlanta, Dr. Fauci told the graduates that many members of minority groups work in essential jobs where they might be exposed to the coronavirus.
He said that once society returns to “some form of normality,” people should not neglect that infectious disease has disproportionally hospitalized and also killing people of color.
Fauci said correcting societal wrongs will take responsibility for decades, and he advised the graduates to be part of the solution. Furthermore, he said that: “they are more likely to become infected if exposed because of medical conditions such as hypertension, chronic lung disease, diabetes, or obesity”.
“Now, very few of these comorbidities have racial determinants,” Fauci stated. “Almost all relate to the social determinants of health dating back to disadvantageous conditions that some people of color find themselves in from birth regarding the availability of an adequate diet, access to health care and the undeniable effects of racism in our society.”
On Sunday Fauci was awarded the Emory University president’s medal. And receivers include former President Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama, and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon. Fauci criticized the destruction of division by accepting the award.
“Societal divisiveness is counterproductive in a pandemic,” Fauci told. “We must not be at odds with each other since the virus is the enemy, not each other.” Having said from him: “Not since the influenza pandemic of 1918 has humanity faced a public health crisis of this magnitude,” he told.
“Each of you deserves enormous respect for your extraordinary adaptability, resilience, and dedication to learning, completing your studies, and graduating despite immense difficulties and uncertainties.”