We Need Answers – An independent public inquiry into the conditions of disparity that negatively impact BAME groups in the UK in light of COVID-19
Over the past month, the UK has witnessed the unprecedented increase in the prevalence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has infected around 124,000 people and killed more than 16,500 people in hospitals nationally. (Figures from 21/04)
Since the eruption of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, there has been consistent data that highlights Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups as being more at risk of contracting and dying from the virus, in comparison to their white counterparts.
News reports about the pandemic, coupled with data taken from The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre found that 35% of people who have been infected with COVID-19, have been predominantly from BAME groups, despite BAME groups only representing 14% of the UK population.
As a result, the government has recently announced that they intend to launch a review into the current coronavirus pandemic, with a particular focus on understanding why BAME groups appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Although this is a step in the right direction, this review is a short term analysis of the current disparities linked to COVID-19 and fails to consider the conditions that BAME groups have suffered with and will continue to suffer in, well after the curve has flattened.
The We Need Answers campaign urges the government to instead, conduct an independent public inquiry into the social, economic, structural, political and systematic disparities that continue to negatively impact BAME groups in the UK. Alongside making recommendations for immediate improvement, thereby enabling BAME groups to not only survive, but thrive, long term.
Although current speculation about the disparity is linked to social and economic factors, there has been little to no acknowledgement of the deeply entrenched structural and systematic inequalities
that pervade British society, thereby adversely impact BAME communities – effectively making them more at risk of COVID-19 and other ailments. Nor has there been specific advice or guidance regarding actions the government or local authorities are taking to provide additional support and protection for BAME groups during these difficult times.
We Need Answers, petition and campaign created by the UBELE Initiative aims to hold the government to account by urgently conducting a full independent public investigation into why and how BAME front line staff including clinicians, care home workers and transport staff and the wider BAME communities are being disproportionately infected by COVID-19, alongside urging the government to make recommendation improve the lives of BAME communities long term.
Quote from Yvonne Field of the UBELE initiative:
“This campaign is of real significance to us as members of BAME communities. We want much more than a review – we need a full public inquiry that gets to the root of what has happened and provides us with the truth. Members of my own family have been seriously affected by this virus so the ‘personal is also political’ as they say!”
Quote from Patrick Vernon OBE:
“COVID-19 is like to a mirror to the country highlight historical and everyday racism and discrimination and its impact on the life and death of BAME communities. We need a transparent and open process to explore structural inequalities with action and accountability for delivery for all”
You can support the We Need Answers Campaign by signing our petition NOW!
The Ubele Initiative is a BAME led national organisation which supports BAME communities and recently co-produced a statement which supports this campaign.
Here are five things you can do immediately to support the cause
- Support the campaign by signing our petition titled BAME communities and the impact of COVID-19 via 38 Degrees
- Read Ubele’s Statement to the Government titled Coronavirus a BAME perspective
- Watch our short animation that explains why our We Need Answers campaign is different to the government’s review.
- Share our petition and animation with your networks.
- Share our hashtags #WeNeedAnswers online and participate in the conversation.
Here, a panel of esteemed guests share their perspectives on the current coronavirus pandemic and the impact on BAME groups. This panel will include, Patrick Vernon OBE (The Windrush Campaign), Yvonne Field (The Ubele Initiative) Barbara Gray (Mayoress of Lewisham), Dr Kevin Fenton (London Regional Director of Public Health England), Otis Thomas (The African Pot) Dee Woods (Food Policy and Practice) and Charity So White, alongside senior faith leaders, members of parliament and other community organisers.