Initial findings from the National Commission on COVID-19, Disablism, and Systemic Racism, reported by Saba Salman at the Byline Times, reveal new evidence of the pandemic's extreme impact on Disabled people from black and ethnic minority communities.
From the evidence, the harmful effect of the Government's neglect of social care and its approaches to navigating the Coronavirus pandemic is clear to see. The commission, led by Voluntary Organisations Disability Group and chaired by Disability Rights UK chief executive Kamran Mallick will release its report in the summer. The report contains six months of evidence from Disabled people, families, carers and social care staff.
Early findings are based on surveys and submissions from around 150 disabled people, family carers and care staff. And analysis shows how reports of unnecessary deaths among Disabled people and those from black or ethnic backgrounds created anxiety. This fear was reinforced by a "survival of the fittest" narrative within the Government and messaging about COVID-19 affecting only the "vulnerable".
There is also evidence that existing health and care inequalities were exacerbated. 97% of Britain's medical staff who died from the virus were from black, Asian and minority communities.
The commission's research also reflects the challenges created by a blanket approach to public health information instead of accessible, 'easy read' guidance. For example, only a few people in a small sample survey of 24 learned how to keep safe from official Government guidance. Almost half got this information via family.
For instance, Kamran Mallick himself experience this inequality. Mallick's own experiences were appalling. Despite his reduced lung capacity, he was not placed on the 'extremely vulnerable' list.
Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK said:
"The pandemic highlighted the inequality that already existed, and the decisions the Government made just made those worse.
This oversight [of Kamran's status] resulted in no access to additional support. I still had to go out and do my shopping. I wasn't prioritised for vaccinations but had to wait for my turn based on the general criteria – age."
Kamran, who uses a wheelchair after developing polio as a child in Pakistan, also experienced different treatment from the health service.
Speaking about his experience in the hospital following a leg injury, Kamran said:
"Once moved to the ward, I was largely left," he recalled. "The only time someone came in was if they needed to do something or I called for them." Yet a patient in the neighbouring room, a white English wheelchair-user, got lots of visits from various staff "just to say hello, good morning, and 'how are you' kind of conversations". He added: "At the time, I thought I was just perhaps overthinking it but, on reflection, it was real."
Reflecting on the work of the Covid commission, Kamran said:
"I want to personally thank Saba Salman at the Byline Times for covering the important work of the VODG Commission looking into the disproportionate impact on Disabled people of colour. More people must understand the intersectional discrimination that Disabled People of Colour face daily in this country."
You can read more about the Covid Commission on the Byline Times website.