A Lesson on Why Equality Is not Equity

摘要

COVID-19 was initially seen as an equal opportunity problem - with a dangerous virus spreading, all of us were at risk. But we weren't really: those engaged in low-wage essential work, living in overcrowded housing, and already suffering from inadequate health care were most vulnerable. The ethnic disparities in case and death rates that emerged in the United States should have been no surprise; they stem from a preexisting system of racialized costs and benefits.When we got around to developing vaccines, the equality-equity distinction became clear. In most states, everyone in an age bracket or occupational category had an equal shot at a shot - provided they had a computer, high-speed internet, flexible employment, and a car to make their way to a mega-site. Those on the wrong side of the digital divide, of employment quality, and of transit independence were left behind. The result of this inequity was racial gaps in vaccination rates.So I'm in agreement when anyone makes the point that systems can have unintended discriminatory impacts. But let's go one step further: not anticipating those impacts and correcting for them - which we could have easily done for both the virus and vaccines - is intentional.