But according to the Mayo Clinic, while there’s no evidence that people of color have genetic or other biological factors that make them more likely to be affected by COVID-19, they are more likely to have underlying health conditions that can be problematic for COVID such as type 2 diabetes. So, why is the race listed as a criterion, rather than the underlying health conditions that would make COVID more problematic? https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2021/11/14/is-race-a-qualifier-for-monoclonal-antibody-treatments-in-texas-n475756

[–] poVoq@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (1 children)

There is more recent scientific data showing that people of south-east Asian origin do have a higher risk due to genetic factors.

But it really doesn't matter if it is genetic or socio-economic if it is an administrative short-cut for patient triage. When you have the clear statistical proof that people from certain high risk ethnicities die more often from Covid19 complications then obviously it is the right choice to prioritize such patients when it comes to limited but life-saving treatments.

Overwhelmed and understaffed hospitals don't have time to dig into possible underlying health conditions that even the patients themselves might not know about.

[–] Demur@lemmy.ml 0 points 3 years ago (1 children)

"if it is an administrative short-cut"

Isn't this they very definition of fascism. Rather then judging a person based on the content of their character, medical conditions etc . . . taking a short cut and judging them simply on the color of their skin.

[–] poVoq@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago)

Clinical triage during a pandemic isn't pretty. Deciding who gets to live and who might might die in a pandemic based on incomplete information sucks. Everyone knows this and no one does it because of some ideological BS. You just have to take the best information that is readily available and hope you made the right decision.

So best is to get everyone vaccinated and out of hospital in the first place so that doctors don't have to make these kind of difficult decisions.