Flattening Epidemic Curves and COVID-19: Policy Rationales, Inequality, and Racism

What is it about?

First, this commentary suggests an exhaustive list of policy rationales for flattening an epidemic curve (such as COVID-19 initially presented) and a parallel set of rationales for letting the natural epidemic spike occur. The second section explorers the nature of the inequality--or more specifically, racism and classism--created by the flattening the COVID epidemic curve. Perhaps its most significant contribution is an extended argument for linguistic reform that recognizes a distinction between systemic (or institutional) racism and structural racism. Structural racism is defined by the fact that praise or blame (culpability) cannot be ascribed when negative impacts are imposed disproportionately by race (or class).,

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Why is it important?

Clarifying how we think and speak about forms of inequality (such as racism, classism, or sexism) will help us formulate moral judgements and potential actions stemming from such judgements (e.g., reparations). In addition, the lists of rationales for and against flattening epidemic curves provides a framework that can be used in empirical policy work to determine what led decision-makers to take actions to flatten the curve and public opinion surveys to determine what various publics regard as good reasons for flattening the curve or letting the natural spike occur..