Covid 19 has been a stressful and often traumatic experience for millions around the globe. People are constantly feeling emotionally vulnerable due to the fear of contracting Corona, getting isolated and the helplessness of lack of control over it. Researchers have shown that the immunity of people gets affected by constant stress.
A Boston University study shows that more number of colored people are dying due to Covid, with figures as high as the death rate of black people is 2.5 times that of white people. Data also shows that more coloured/ black people are likely to be laid off from job due to this pandemic induced job crisis.
A study in 1992 had showed that how sustained stress takes a toll on the body of coloured people and can cause serious health issues. It was specifically found in Afro American women how socio economic condition can lead to deterioration in health in early adulthood. The study focused on black pregnant teens but was used to explain how racism can lead to high risk of blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. The stress factors that affect black and coloured people are chronic in nature and continue for their whole life. But its effect is mostly felt in young adults and then continues till mid old age. To understand it we have to compare that if the effect of Covid like stress continues for whole life then what sort of health issues it can cause.
The debate on wearing masks and the denial of fact that covid is a dangerous virus is in itself a reaction to the stress. Everyone in the society is touched by stress and therefore its effect during the pandemic is not to be overlooked. It has a bearing on how we behave during the situation. Governments should be worried about the refugees and migrant workers who are already having toxic stress level. The combined effect of toxic stress and the stress induced by Covid can cause serious health issues including mental health issues, which may lead to more use of misuse of substances to relieve it.
Another point that needs consideration is how people are coping up with the grief due to death caused by Covid. The black Americans are facing a disproportionate amount of the grief. As due to restriction in movement most of this grief is shared through online video mode that in itself increases the stress of grief and trauma. The physical support of near and dear ones are not available. This can lead to post traumatic stress disorder, use of alcohol and other substances.
Small tweaks in our lifestyle such as exercising, stretching and trying to maintain a normal routine will help people. This message is not put out as widely as it should be. Even today speaking about mental health issues is considered a stigma and especially for the black people who are considered as physically strong. It has to be seen that how the stress caused by covid and the racism has an effect on the long term effect of the black community.
Even after this pandemic is over, this thing has to be watched and studied for months and even years after it to come to a definitive conclusion about its effect. Here incidents like the death of George Floyd and many such before that are a constant reminder that racism is still rooted in the American society. The black people are generally in the lower end of social and economic strata. Both the disease and racism has to be dealt in a sympathetic manner by the Government if it wants to create a socially equal society and the principles on which that great country was envisioned.
