The Political Economy Of Covid (DP x S24) (09/12/24)
Sep 13, 2024
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Beatrice, a political economy analyst of the pandemic, joins Artie, a labor struggle advocate, and Jules, a disability justice proponent. They dive into how COVID-19 has reshaped economic and social landscapes. The trio discusses the stark disconnect between touted pandemic successes and the harsh realities of ongoing fatalities and long COVID. They also tackle the interplay between public health, disability justice, and economic inequities while critiquing the normalization of individual responsibility amidst systemic failures. A riveting exploration of collective action in challenging times!
The dismantling of COVID-related social protections by the Biden administration illustrates a troubling shift towards individual responsibility at the expense of public health.
The ongoing urgency of long COVID highlights the need for solidarity and systemic change to address barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing care.
COVID's impact on prisons underscores the nexus of public health and abolitionist movements, revealing how systemic neglect exacerbates health disparities for incarcerated individuals.
Deep dives
The Dismantling of COVID Response
Over the past few years, the Biden administration has overseen a significant dismantling of the US COVID response, aiming to normalize the virus's presence in daily life. This has involved the removal of crucial social supports and protections established during the pandemic, presenting the end of the public health emergency as an apolitical issue. The discussion emphasizes that while the formal emergency phase has ended, COVID continues to shape many aspects of society, including the ongoing risk of infection, which is often downplayed. Data reveals high COVID-related mortality rates, highlighting the disconnect between governmental narratives and the reality faced by the public.
COVID as a Labor and Economic Justice Issue
COVID is framed as a fundamental labor issue, directly tied to class struggle and economic justice. The podcast highlights how COVID-19 responses have shifted from collective action to an emphasis on individual responsibility, ultimately undermining workplace protections. Many workers have been compelled to return to unsafe environments without adequate sick leave or health protections, resulting in heightened risks of repeated infections. This dynamic disproportionately affects marginalized communities and raises questions about the role of government in supporting workers' rights and health during ongoing crises.
Disability Justice and Long COVID
The discussion underscores the significant implications of COVID for disability justice, particularly regarding long COVID, which has emerged as a widespread issue affecting millions. The conversation highlights how individuals face barriers in accessing care and support, often exacerbated by an economic system that prioritizes productivity over health. There is an urgent need for solidarity among those experiencing long-term health conditions, as the current paradigm marginalizes and overlooks their struggles. The link between workplace conditions and long-term disability further emphasizes the importance of advocacy in addressing these inequalities.
Mass Incarceration Amid COVID
The impact of COVID within prisons and detention centers is portrayed as a critical aspect of the pandemic's broader implications for abolitionist movements. Individuals within these systems face heightened risks of exposure and inadequate care, often resulting in punitive measures rather than protection from the virus. There is a clear connection between COVID spread in these institutions and the societal implications of mass incarceration, where the conditions mirror a broader neglect of public health. Advocating for decarceration is portrayed as essential for improving COVID safety and health outcomes for both incarcerated individuals and the general population.
Mask Bans and Political Solidarity
The rise of mask bans serves as a significant point of contention, particularly in how they threaten public health and target disenfranchised groups. These bans often reflect underlying systemic inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and exacerbating the vulnerability of disabled individuals. The state’s push against masking is inseparable from its broader campaign against leftist movements, highlighting a coordinated effort to suppress collective safety measures. The importance of maintaining community care and solidarity is reiterated, emphasizing that protection against COVID affects all members of society, not just those considered 'vulnerable.'
Beatrice, Artie and Jules discuss the political economy of the pandemic and how organizing around covid and long covid intersects with priorities in movements across the left, including labor struggles and economic justice, disability justice, and abolition.
Transcript forthcoming.
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Socialism Conference in Chicago. We collaborated with conference organizers to host five discussions there over labor day weekend. Recordings and transcripts of those sessions will be released over the coming weeks. More info in the intro stinger at the beginning of this episode, which ends at 0:02:30.
Thanks to Han Olliver for our Death Panel x Socialism Conference 2024 poster image, which is being used as the cover image for this episode on platforms that support it. Find and support Han's work at hanolliver.com
Find our book Health Communism here: www.versobooks.com/books/4081-health-communism
Find Jules' new book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, here: https://www.versobooks.com/products/3054-a-short-history-of-trans-misogyny
Death Panel merch here (patrons get a discount code): www.deathpanel.net/merch
As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod
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