MP launches campaign for inquiry into BAME deaths from Covid-19

SHOCKING statistics show that Covid-19 infections and deaths have disproportionately impacted Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

And as the Government announced plans to ease lockdown from today, there is growing concern among the BAME community, who fear they will endure more suffering and mass mortality. Members of the BAME community are now demanding an independent public inquiry into the devastating death rate and calling on the Government to take urgent action to protect them.

Diane Abbott MP launched the national campaign for a public inquiry and since the campaign was launched Stand Up To Racism have been chairing meetings.

A spokesman for Stand Up to Racism North East said: “We have seen some shocking statistics throughout this pandemic. For example, one third of Covid-19 patients in intensive care are BAME, as are two thirds of the NHS staff who have died from the virus. Also 22 of the 23 doctors who have died from Covid-19 have been BAME.”

Although the reason behind the statistics is not explicitly clear, black people appear to be more than four times more likely to die from Covid-19 compared to their white counterparts. While members of the Asian community are two times more likely die from coronavirus, according to The Office of National Statistics.

Scientific studies have suggested a vitamin D deficiency, which is more prevalent in those with BAME heritage, could have contributed to the tragic impact of Covid-19 in BAME communities.

However, the University of Oxford reports that infants and children are also at risk of vitamin D deficiency, but are not considered high risk. Despite the worrying figures, the BAME community has not been issued with specific advice to shield during the pandemic, unlike other vulnerable groups, such as elderly people or pregnant women.

A British Medical Association survey also showed that 64% of BAME doctors expressed inadequate PPE, compared to 33% of white doctors. A spokesman for Stand Up to Racism North East added: “You can see from the statistics how much of a gap there is, not only in deaths, but the way the BAME community is being treated.”