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“Without collecting race-based COVID-19 data, the government is effectively saying they know some populations are more vulnerable than others, but they’re not interested in taking concrete steps to help the communities who need it most.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Ottawa (17 Nov. 2021) — Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), has sent a letter to the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, endorsing a joint effort between federal and provincial governments in collecting race-based COVID-19 data.
The collection of race-based data is standard for many Western countries. It’s essential for informing policy decisions. We keep talking about how COVID-19 exposed preexisting inequalities in our society. But, without data, we don’t know how to act most effectively. Allocating money in the budget without a solid plan that has actionable goals doesn’t help the communities that need it most.
BIPOC at increased risk of exposure for COVID-19
From the earliest months of the pandemic, it became clear that all people were not being affected equally by the virus. BIPOC workers are more likely to be working on the front lines in public facing and essential jobs that increased their risk of exposure to COVID-19. BIPOC workers are also more likely to be working low-paying, part-time, or gig-economy jobs that don’t provide paid sick days. The choice for these workers was to show up sick or risk losing their job. We know this because non-profit organizations, policy advocates, and research firms have compiled and studied this data. So why is the government resistant to doing the same?
The need for race-based data in health care goes far beyond COVID-19
Race-based COVID-19 data is just the tip of the iceberg of race-based data that needs collecting in relation to health care. We know racism exists in our health care systems. Brian Sinclair was killed because of racist stereotypes. Joyce Echaquan died in a Quebec hospital shortly after livestreaming health care workers making racist comments directed at her. In her report, coroner Géhane Kamel stated that racism and prejudice contributed to Echaquan’s demise. Georges-Hervé Awashish died in a Quebec hospital days after he reported hearing nurses laughing about Echaquan’s death and saying, “we have an Indian here too” (in reference to Awashish).
“The Liberals have a prime opportunity to work with the provinces and strengthen health care for BIPOC,” said NUPGE President, Larry Brown. “Without collecting race-based COVID-19 data, the government is effectively saying they know some populations are more vulnerable than others, but they’re not interested in taking concrete steps to help the communities who need it most.”