Implications of COVID-19 and Bias

While COVID-19 and crises like these have far-reaching impact, there are also immediate and direct implications for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) champions and the work we do. History has shown that outbreaks have been a cause for social stigma, discrimination, blame, and xenophobia. For example, in the past, we have seen the Latinx community stigmatized for swine flu, Black people blamed for Ebola, and the LGBTQ community discriminated against for AIDS. With COVID-19, we are seeing a sharp increase in aggression and blame toward Asians.