Today, Explained "The Great Equalizer"
Apr 7, 2020
David Wallace-Wells, author of "The Uninhabitable Earth" and a New York Magazine contributor, dives into the misconceptions surrounding COVID-19 as an equalizer. He highlights the stark disparities in impact on marginalized communities, particularly the Black population. Wallace-Wells discusses how pollution exacerbates health risks, especially for low-income areas like Harlem, and critiques the government's rollback on environmental regulations. This conversation sheds light on the intersection of public health and environmental justice amid the pandemic.
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COVID-19 Not an Equalizer
- Madonna called COVID-19 "the great equalizer" from a rose-petal-filled bathtub.
- This sentiment, echoed by Governor Cuomo, sparked controversy for overlooking pre-existing inequalities.
Systemic Discrimination
- COVID-19 doesn't discriminate, but societal structures do.
- The pandemic disproportionately affects vulnerable populations due to healthcare access, environmental factors, and socioeconomic disparities.
Pollution and COVID-19
- Pre-existing exposure to pollution increases vulnerability to COVID-19.
- Communities with higher pollution levels, often low-income and minority areas, face greater health risks.
