The Impact of the
COVID-19 Pandemic
on people with three
protected
characteristics 29th April 2020
ABSTRACT
No More
Exclusions;
Evidence
to the
House of
Commons
Select
Committe
e for
Women
and
Equalities
on the
Impact of
the Covid-
19
pandemic.
Authors NME Members
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Contents Introduction 2
Data presented 3
Personal accounts 3
Conclusion 6
Recommendations 7
Appendix 1 8
Results from Survey 8
Appendix 2 14
Additional Comments 18
Appendix 3 23
Media Coverage 23
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Introduction
NME gathered our evidence from people belonging to 3 groups that have protected
characteristics; women, people from the Black and/or Global Majority communities and
those who are disabled.
NME wished to survey its members, affiliates, sister organisations and the community
we work with and belong to ourselves, to ascertain how people from these groups are
specifically affected by this crisis. The purpose of the survey was to find out the way
social institutions and government policies have impacted our communities during the
Covid-19 pandemic. This report presents our findings and results derived from both
qualitative and quantitative data used in order to highlight some of the key aspects of
the survey.
Our conclusion will be drawn from data gathered from a survey we carried out with
over 100 respondents as well data gathered from our social media platforms.
Recommendations will be made based on the report we present here.
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Data presented
The full results of the survey are shown in Appendix 1 and identify the different types
of responses received and the results of the questions asked. The term BGM signifies
Black and/or Global Majority in order to encompass people who are not white, as we
refute the legitimacy of the pejorative term BAME. We are outlining here some of the
key findings:
● Of the respondents 86% were BGM, 82% Female and 14% Disabled
● The vast majority, 86%, believed the media were not exploring the impact on
the BGM community in relation to Covid-19
● 64% of respondents believed that Covid-19 had led to further discrimination for
people with the three specific protected characteristics
● 82% would be less likely to trust the government
● 67% believed that white people would receive better treatment for Covid-19 if
they had the virus
● 73% believe that Covid-19 may have had an additional impact upon their mental
health because of racism, sexism and ableism
This survey, whilst numerically small, still galvanised over 100 people (in just three
days!) and prioritises the voice of those who self-identify as belonging to one or more
of the three groups. These are voices that are often silenced, ignored or homogenised
by institutions that hold a vested interest in doing so. The findings are stark and must
be acted upon.
Personal accounts
From the survey we were also able to identify people's personal accounts and gather
qualitative data. The accounts shed light on people's lived experience and some are
very difficult to read. Here is a selection of the accounts from the survey (the full list of
personal accounts can be found in Appendix 2).
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DISCRIMINATION COMPOUNDING VULNERABILITY
"I am homeless and the victim of stalking and targeted abuse. I haven’t been able
to access support from authorities before the pandemic, and now I am reluctant
to seek it".
.
EMPLOYMENT
"Anyone who is not white has a more precarious position at work than white
people. This means that ...in spite of your underlying health condition, you go into
work because they will discriminate…"
MEDICAL TREATMENT
"Is this going to be a reason to insist on ethnic minority groups receiving this
random vaccine?"
"I have started to grow an unhealthy mistrust of the NHS...and I'm not a well
person".
MEDIA
"The only time I see multiple images of BGM people...is when they are discussing
the dead"
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GOVERNMENT AND POLICING
"I am worried for my 18 year old son being at higher risk of being targeted by
police and have never let him out on his own since the lockdown began".
Some personal accounts suggest the lack of trust in mainstream messages was
fuelling a growth of interest in community based, social media sources and our
research has identified a wealth of information, freely available across platforms.
These news stories and accounts largely confirm the results of our survey with growing
scepticism in the state's ability to deliver fair, transparent and ethical solutions for
people with protected characteristics.
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2020/04/26/theres-been-a-surge-in-
unlawful-attempts-to-not-save-disabled-people-from-
coronavirus/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/coronavirus/exclusive-bme-nurses-feel-
targeted-to-work-on-covid-19-wards-17-04-2020
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/blog/news/2020/04/21/double-danger-covid-19-
and-the-surge-in-domestic-
violence?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Twitt
er%20organic
The full list of media coverage that supports our findings and the views of our
participants is available in Appendix 3.
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Conclusion
In conclusion it appears that Covid-19 and the management of the crisis is having a
disparate, profound and largely unreported, impact on people from the 3 groups.
Although the Government insists "We are all in this together" the truth is that people
who were already facing discrimination on a daily basis, are feeling increasingly
abandoned by biased and unrepresentative governance, policy, reporting and data,
putting families and communities at greater risk.
Sadly it appears that, although Covid-19 does not discriminate as a virus, it has led to
considerably disproportionate increases in levels of discrimination and hardship in the
first 5 weeks of the lockdown. It would also appear to be the case that discrimination
has led to a lack of trust in key social and political institutions which can lead to
disengagement and heighten risk. (The lockdown relies on voluntary compliance-
without which its efficacy may become compromised. If people do not trust the
message or the messengers 90% compliance will not be possible).This mistrust, we
are sure, will be felt in other key social institutions as well, such as education.
The Government has much to do in order to build confidence that our differences will
not determine how/if we survive and how/if we emerge from this crisis.
Below we make recommendations which we believe need to be implemented
immediately.
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Recommendations
● Ensure a representative range of qualified, competent and trusted experts
(who share the three protected characteristics) are appointed immediately to
advise the government on scientific, social and legal policy and law.
● Ensure these experts regularly consult with the communities they serve and
have power to hold the government to account.
● Appoint credible professionals (not anyone who has sought to boost their
career by blaming people from protected groups for the discrimination they
face) to lead the enquiries into 'race/gender/disability and covid' AND make
their findings transparent, accountable and accessible. The appointment of
Trevor Phillips as part of the inquiry into the disproportionate Black and Global
Majority COVID-19 deaths is not one we support and it is widely opposed by
many other BAME equality organisations and community groups given his
abysmal track record on race, his islamophobic remarks on record and his
recent ejection from the Labour party as direct result. The committee must act
without delay to replace him.
●
● Ensure those professionals are able to hold bodies and individuals to account.
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Appendix 1
Results from Survey
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Appendix 2 Personal Accounts
"My levels of anxiety has risen"
"Consistent over the top reporting - with reporters whipping up non existent
stories. Wanting things to return even though it is not safe to do it."
"They give ventilators to BME for a short time and a longer time to white people"
"I'm mentally impacted when I read about the disproportionate number of BGM
killed by the virus".
"Overall mental health has been affected. Worrying about my family, my friends
and school community". "Trying to self isolate but live in a shared house so it's
difficult. Sleep has been affected too".
"I think the NHS is doing a good job overall but I have an elderly mother and I
would worry about what would happen to her if she was admitted to hospital. I
don't trust the medics to make the right decisions around her care without an
advocate. Also I don't trust the vaccine being developed and I would be reluctant
to take it".
"All of the above have affected me, under circumstances the lack of protection for
black people in general, and personally for me translated to loss of a loved one
which I’m trying to avoid thinking about , which is impossible as corona is spoken
about daily and something we can’t afford to avoid"
"On social media there has been reports of BGM families who were treated
neglectfully".
"I feel more anxious"
"Race impacts on the stereotypes perpetuating our society. Not all patients are
treated the same. The Collective consciousness of our people means we often feel
the impact of what’s going on with our families, friends and communities even if
it’s not affecting us directly. This can heighten anxiety, worry, fear and stress".
*Worried about treatment relatives and friends would receive if they needed
medical intervention". "Euthanisia and assisted suicide is illegal except for BGM
now it seems".
"Because of the way we as black people have been portrayed in the media as
being a problem... when the fact is why more of us are dying is because we are on
the front line …" "We are the Invisible carers".
"I have been scorned by white people on 3 occasions whilst going about my daily
activities. I was treated like me being black put them at a higher risk of becoming
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sick and they reacted as though they were terrified of even passing me in a
shop'".
"Anxiety caused by the expectation to work - which means using public transport
as I have no private car to get to work. If I get coronavirus I fully expect to die as
the health system doesn't value black lives like white ones".
"I am scared and worried that I am not able to get a test done, I feel as a key
worker in a residential home with young people we are under looked and feels
like if we die, those in power don't give a damn"
"Stress of self isolating & social distancing all the time".
"If doctors know that BGM are predisposed to certain illnesses that will negatively
impact on the BGMs chances of recovery, should the health service be
overwhelmed I feel a BGM patient would slide down the critical care list. I feel the
space may go to a younger, white patient rather than a person of colour. I would
hope that the high % of BGM staff within the health service might negate this but
I am still afraid of people of BGM getting treated unfairly. I feel this as a
professional who has stepped back as an assistant head as the promotional
process just seemed stacked against me to proceed despite what I achieved for
the schools I worked at. I feel this way about the high probability of being
negatively viewed should I, God forbid, ever end up on the wrong side of the
criminal justice system. I am wary of the world around me and the way racist
views have become acceptable".
"It feels like this is another way to place a negative image of being a black person.
Suddenly the media state that COVID is affecting ethnic minority groups more so
is this going to be a reason to insist on ethnic minority groups receiving this
random vaccine?"
"I believe black people get worse treatment than white people. I believe we are
ignored or there is the impression we are overreacting. I am concerned that more
black people have died...more work in health services, more likely to have to
work, more likely to have pressure and be chosen to be on the front line. My aunt
has just gone into hospital with a chest infection, not coronavirus. We know the
likelihood of her coming out is small".
"The media have whitewashed the NHS and the contribution of the BAME
colleagues that dominate the NHS workforce".
"Seeing the Carribean community affected so much is heartbreaking especially
after the Windrush scandal".
"Lack of social interaction, as well as physical outlets. Also familial tension leads
to triggers due to conflict". "Delay of jobs and job offers being cancelled due to
the virus. Holidays for enrichment of well being cancelled due to virus".
"Worry. About relatives, self"
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"We are worried when using our local park as we don't have a garden and the
peer surveillance has increased. I am worried for my 18 year old son being at
higher risk of being targeted by the police and have never allowed him to leave
the house on his own since the start of the lockdown. My 5 year old has become
very anxious and follows me around in every room. She has recurring nightmares
and talks about death a lot. She has mostly been affected by not being able to see
her friends or other children. The way schools were closed abruptly did not allow
for appropriate emotional preparation for children who are in the early years in
particular. When I developed symptoms I was unable to get tested whilst we
know celebrities and MPs got tested immediately".
"As a mother, teacher and key worker, I feel an extra pressure to keep on top of a
workload and this has caused me major stress"
"The rates and numbers of BME people dying from Covid-19 and the way it’s
being handled has instilled fear into many BME people."
"Stressful and worrying"
"My anxiety and depression have worsened. This is affecting my ability to sleep
and to eat well, and impacting on my pain levels".
"Many Black medical workers were recruited into the medical field from their
home countries but are less thought of. Furthermore the immigration system
seriously discriminates against us even when we legally enter and depart and this
carries into the workplace."
"Worrying about loved ones who might get the viruses and how they will be
treated"
"I feel Black persons will be first be pushed back to work in situations where they
are more exposed"
"I’m very upset and angry about my own privilege"
"There is a disproportionate number of BGM deaths due to the Coronavirus than
there are amongst white people. The Government haven't been as quick to
respond to this and investigate this. News coverage has a tendency to feature
more white frontline NHS workers and carers in homes when in front it is
predominately supported by BGM. Only recently they have flagged up about the
disproportionality in the media but it is not a consistent feature in the media.
Research shows Black children are likely to negatively affected in the assessment
of final grades relating to SATs, GCSEs, A levels and this is going to have a knock
on effect on entry to university places. My emotional health iwill always affected
when racial discrimination plays a large part in life prior to this pandemic and no
doubt after this".
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"Whites are definitely given priority" "When it comes to NHS bravery Minorities
are not pictured in the newspapers...and our NHS does not resemble what is
portrayed"
"I am unsure of how I'll be treated if I am rushed into hospital."
"Apprehension"
"Emotional stress relating to one rule orders without looking into alternatives...
creating more uncertainties!"
"There are so many examples I’d love to reflect on: As I would not say these acts
are racism. They are low level cultural unawareness. I.e. The number of cases they
show on tv, newspapers and mostly recently a video clip of thank you to teachers
in Enfield. Only one mixed-race teacher shown out of a pool of white teachers.
This is not a reflection of pupils in Enfield schools. The balance of what our
community is comprised of and what we see in the media is not equally
represented. Lastly, as the ONLY black teacher in a collection of 16 independent
schools (ILG). I was the ONLY teacher / staff member that had my job terminated
effectively this week. As of April 30. I will no longer be at my school. They claim
because they merged my job with someone from another school. So my service no
longer needed. The remaining staff that are being made redundant are able to
carry on teaching until the end of the school year before they are redundant".
"I’m pressured to go to work though managers have not provided all the PPE
needed. There are problems with social distancing because the office spaces are
small. I’m on sick leave at the moment because I don’t have permission to work at
home which I can do in part. This is causing stress and anxiety."
"Working within local government since the 80’s, treatment at work is
stereotypically racist and I have experienced and have evidence of both conscious
and unconscious racially bias with Suffolk."
"Promotional and marketing images used for NHS are predominantly white
people and do not reflect the actually demographics of the service".
"The media has always reported negatively about black people when they could
be assisting in stamping out racism, unconscious bias and hate with clever, fair,
positive and anti-discriminatory reporting. The services should be providing
figures so ONS can gather correct data around the demographics of people
affected by Covid-19. The media should report about the disproportionate
numbers everyday, in a similar way we are bombarded with the total number of
cases and deaths hundreds of times a day. Detailed demographic data should be
online for public access."
"Unfortunately but wisely, I have distrusted the media, the medical service, some
scientists (there are still some ‘mad’ ones you know!!🤣), criminal justice system
and government for many years. However, the government and medical service
even more so, since the outbreak".
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"As black person I think the likelihood of experiencing discrimination will likely
increase henceforth
I have spent a lot of my time and energy worrying about work and keeping my
family safe. I have lost friends and the narrative that people are key workers is an
absolute travesty. Failing to provide protection for ‘key workers’ and leaving the
options as either ‘protect your family’ or ‘lose you job’ is what so many people are
left with. The role of the key worker impacts the BGM adversely. When this is over
I hope answers are given."
"The numbers of BMG that have died compared to white people is not surprisingly
but still shocking"
"It's sad and negative trying to get away from all the negative media and helping
children to feel safe when everything is shown as being unsafe."
"I am afraid to go out, I feel more angry when I am out and I am very aware of
the disparities in our society. I do not want to honestly share my thoughts or fears
because I feel the state will be less tolerant of them."
"I have anxiety that if I have to go to hospital that I'm less likely to survive than a
white person"
"Anxiety manifesting in various forms."
Additional Comments
“The handling of Covid-19 has had a negative impact upon the lives of those I
work with and educate as well as my family. The impact on the three protected
characteristics is dreadful.”
“Minorities are always called into work because the whites get preferential rota
treatment. My mum was a carer and always had to work every holiday, whereas
the white carers didn’t”.
“Every Thursday clapping for NHS white people are in front. Why not put BME as
well?
“What I've found is a very specific oversight in the way the media almost seem to
exclude images of Black people who work in the NHS, auxiliary services and Social
Care when discussing the positive impact these services have had on Covid-19. It
may simply be my visual bias, but it seems to me that the only time I see multiple
images of BGM people who work in these fields, is when they are discussing the
dead, or commenting on the fact that there MIGHT be some adjustment to the
Visa surcharge for migrant workers in the care system. I do not hear or see
enough stories of how Covid-19 is affecting BGM people in a day to day situation.
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And I'm speaking specifically of the optics. I do not see these faces enough.
(Nothing new there)”
“People from the BGM have been made to be invisible in the report coming out of
the media outlets. I believe that they are nurses, doctors and specialist carers who
are from the this background yet only when somebody from the group does, we
get the media posting information about them”
“NHS representation in the media is disproportionate to the number of BAME NHS
staff especially those who have lost their lives to Covid. Neijer gave ?there been
any professionals of colour in any of the consultations”.
“BGM feature more heavily in negative outcomes of Covid -19 due to poverty
caused by racism. By this I mean being forced into low-paid work in the care
sector, which means they do longer hours ( eg taking on extra shifts to make ends
meet) and not given PPE.”
“The benefits system also forces them into low grade care work. Immigration
limits them too.”
“They are more likely to live in overcrowded homes which, during lockdown,
makes life difficult.”
“Removing the choice for relatives to tend and care their loved ones in what may
be their last moments, is inhumane. Racism in the structures does not consider
cultural end of life rites that are vital for communities.”
“I believe the media are being deliberately misleading on the facts; which is
having a negative impact on black people.”
“Anyone who is not white has more precarious position in work than white
people. This means that when they start harassing you to go into work in spite of
your underlying condition, you go into work because they will discriminate
against you more if you have time off”
“I feel disappointed in the government because I believe that everyone should
have been given the opportunity to be tested, there should have been no
hierarchy as at the end we are all human.”
“I want to be able to trust the government to have the best interests of all their
citizens at the heart of the decisions they make. I do not feel this right now. I
doubt the motivations behind everything. As some governments allow the needs
of the few to outweigh the needs of the many. This pandemic has blown the veil
off the lie that we are all in this together. Even social distancing is a privilege that
only those comfortably off can afford. So how can all lives be viewed as equal
under these terms. Even homeschooling relies on a parent understanding what
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needs to be taught. Many low income families did not engage well with school so
how can they help their child. In addition they do not have access to broadband or
tablets to allow the children to access the learning portals. So the gulf between
the haves and the have nots continues to widen. I could go on.”
“The financial package offered by the government is totally wholly inadequate for
supply teachers like me. I was not employed by any school as of 23 April but
registered with an agency and felt through the cracks. Measures should have
been universal, the financial support available immediately and easy to access,
delivered straight into bank accounts without unnecessary form fillings, barriers
and delays that are causing an economic crisis for families on top of a health
crisis, isolation, uncertainty and mounting debt.”
“I am homeless and a victim of stalking and targeted abuse. I haven't been able
to access support from the authorities before the pandemic, and now I am
reluctant to seek it.”
“I am concerned about the publicised and confirmed eugenicist views of our
countries leaders and their advisers.”
No all said above
Does this not play into the deficit model and also excludes other voices which
mean once again we can only be one dimensional. This also means that we are
classless which is not true. It's important to understand what is happening to
racialised people from all walks of life not just one. There is a conceit ??that if you
are a racialised middle class person that you have no concerns or worries in life
and this is simply not true. However they will be different but there will be some
similarities to someone who is working class, low income or in absolute poverty.
Also there are regional differences in lens too which are not being accounted for.
As racialized people don't all live in the major urban centres in the UK. Just seems
that once again the only voices that count are those that fit a very slim narrative
of what it means to be a racialised person in the UK today.”
“Not sure answered some questions correctly, but for clarity, I am white, female,
wheelchair-bound.”
“I feel like I have been bombarded with a lot of hate and negativity from Chinese
nationals across social media where you see black majority countries and Islands
being mistreated by the Chinese. I hear stories of black older people given high
doses of morphine when they don't have signs or Covid-19 or been told to stay at
home until they are at death's door.”
“I have started to grow an unhealthy mistrust of the NHS so much so I don't want
to go to my GP let alone the hospital and I'm not a well person, I'm just trying to
stay safe till this all dies down I miss going to church and meeting my fellow
worshippers.”
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“I have lost hope with British system of government and feel that our voice here
will not even be acknowledged”
“did not see a black representation. Seems that the all white news and
“experts”were saying one thing and the communities were thinking and saying
alternatives!”
“Thanks so much for doing this survey. As so many pupils of all communities are
watching tv, on computers and reading news. It is vital our youth see themselves
as positive examples in the community.”
“Ninety eight percent of the managers and staff at head office are white with
space for social distancing. Ninety eight percent of the staff working in the local
housing projects are BGM. Social distancing is very difficult to operate. This is a
glaring example of how the disproportional impact of the virus affects BGM.
Managers have instructed that we work as usual after providing a flimsy online
trading video on Covid and safety rules. However, no plans or instructions on how
to make social distancing work in the projects and no provisions or instructions on
using masks. This is a very stressful time for me in all manner of ways.”
“Thank you for doing this. Our voices need to to be heard sooner than later”
“Black people are literally airbrushed out of the Covid narrative unless the
narrative is that we are affected more severely (and then reports suggest this is
because of diabetes or blood pressure with no evaluation of racism and white
privilege). One news report literally swiped passed the faces of BGM NHS workers
who had died to ONLY highlight the stories of three white women. Nurses/Drs
singled out for thanks are nearly always white and rarely Black, none of the
"specialists" on the daily Corona briefing have been Black.”
“Black children were more likely to be stopped, searched, arrested, sectioned or
imprisoned by the criminal justice system before this, now that the police have
the power to forcibly enter and arrest anyone "suspected" of having the virus I am
terrified for them. And why would they need to arrest someone on suspicion of
having the virus?”
“Also there is no medical accountability at the moment so the president set in the
19th, 20th and 21st centuries for experimenting on Black bodies first could be
ramped up.”
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Appendix 3
Media Coverage
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/26/uk-covid-19-law-puts-rights-people-disabilities-
risk
Relevant observations made and further support of the inequities.
https://www.runnymedetrust.org/projects-and-publications/employment-3/the-colour-
of-money.html
https://twitter.com/chessmartinez/status/1250757016001433600?s=08
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/why-are-third-uk-covid-19-
patients-ethnic-minority/
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2020/04/26/theres-been-a-surge-in-unlawful-
attempts-to-not-save-disabled-people-from-
coronavirus/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/23/high-number-bame-coronavirus-deaths-magnifies-
uks-institutional-racism-12597470/
https://www.redpepper.org.uk/the-politics-of-covid-19-can-local-authorities-really-
bring-everybody-in/
Six more health workers killed by coronavirus as death toll above 100
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8241257/Five-health-workers-killed-
coronavirus-death-toll-staff-rises-100.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-masthead
https://youtu.be/j11HBSNHy7E
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https://youtu.be/XR4HSEvRrhY
https://youtu.be/6bDtMHVIrww
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/coronavirus/exclusive-bme-nurses-feel-targeted-
to-work-on-covid-19-wards-17-04-2020/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52255863
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/blog/news/2020/04/21/double-danger-covid-19-and-the-
surge-in-domestic-
violence?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Twitter%20
organic
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/22/racial-inequality-in-britain-found-a-
risk-factor-for-covid-19
