Double pandemic: racial discrimination amid coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen an escalation of racial discrimination against non-citizens and people of colour in many places around the world. While this COVID-19-related racial discrimination against non-citizens and people of colour has drawn much attention in the media space, the issue has been less discussed in academia. Given that racial discrimination has a significant impact on human relations, mental health, and general well-being, it is important to address the rising racial discrimination problem amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper discusses some of the emerging stories of racial discrimination associated with COVID-19 and presents viewpoints on why people are being abused and the socio-economic implications associated with the abuse. The paper concludes with few suggestions on how to address the COVID-19 related racial discriminations as the world continues to fight against the double pandemic.

Cross-sectional survey on physician burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vancouver, Canada: the role of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation

“… 7 31 32 A previous national US survey found that minority physicians were less likely to report burnout including emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation compared with white, non-Hispanic physicians, 33 whereas others demonstrated no difference in burnout. However, with increased COVID-19 infections, incidents of racial discrimination increased dramatically and this ‘double pandemic’ 31 may place greater strain on visible minority physicians. Although our study also found no difference in emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation by ethnicity, we identified a greater likelihood of feeling low personal accomplishment.…”

Cyberbullying, social stigma, and self-esteem: the impact of COVID-19 on students from East and Southeast Asia at the University of Jordan

“…This result is in agreement with previous studies that cultural differences are a strong predictor of the characteristics and nature of cyberbullies, cyberbullying frequency, or reinforcement [ 109 , 110 ]. A recent study [ 111 ] found that the escalation of COVID-19-related racial discrimination and bullying against non-citizens and people of color in many places around the world. Covid-19-related discrimination and bullying have been triggered by anti-Asian content present in several international social media.…”

“…[ 71 ] regarding the necessity of designing prevention and intervention programs for universities, and increasing students’ awareness of both cyberbullying and coping strategies to deal with it. Advocating against racial discrimination, and promoting tolerance and acceptance of ethnic and cultural differences among university students are useful methods for eliminating racial discrimination [ 111 ].…”

The time is now: Student‐driven implementation of social justice and anti‐racism focused curricula in medical scientist training program education

“…Recently, societal inequalities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with marginalized communities being disproportionately affected. 1,2 While all of our lives have been impacted in some way by the global COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color are simultaneously suffering from the ongoing pandemic of systemic racism.…”

“…As we embark on our physician‐scientist training in the community of St. Louis, and in the United States, where science and medicine have histories steeped in injustices towards communities of color, we sought to create a platform to educate ourselves in order to uplift these communities in our careers and personal lives. Recently, societal inequalities have been exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, with marginalized communities being disproportionately affected 1,2 . While all of our lives have been impacted in some way by the global COVID‐19 pandemic, communities of color are simultaneously suffering from the ongoing pandemic of systemic racism.…”