Dr Fauci says COVID has exposed the 'undeniable effects of racism' and shone 'a bright light on our own society's failings' after the virus disproportionally killed people of color

 Dr. Anthony Fauci has said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the 'undeniable effects of racism' across the United States.

The nation's top infectious disease expert said: 'COVID-19 has shown a bright light on our own society´s failings' after the virus disproportionally killed people of color.'

Fauci was speaking during a graduation ceremony for Emory University Sunday, when he said that 'the undeniable effects of racism' have led to unacceptable health disparities that especially hurt African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.  

Speaking by webcast from Washington, Fauci told the graduates in Atlanta that many members of minority groups work in essential jobs where they might be exposed to the coronavirus. 

He also said they are more likely to become infected if exposed because of medical conditions such as hypertension, chronic lung disease, diabetes or obesity.

'Now, very few of these comorbidities have racial determinants,' Fauci said. 

'Almost all relate to the social determinants of health dating back to disadvantageous conditions that some people of color find themselves in from birth regarding the availability of an adequate diet, access to health care and the undeniable effects of racism in our society.'

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Dr. Anthony Fauci has said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the 'undeniable effects of racism' across the US. The nation's top infectious disease expert said: 'COVID-19 has shown a bright light on our own society´s failings' after the virus disproportionally killed people of color

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Figures from Emory as of Saturday show that for every 100,000 people, 114 white people have died; that's compared to 127 African American, 118 Hispanic and 139 American Native

Data shows that COVID has disproportionally hospitalized and killed people of color.

The CDC states: 'The COVID-19 pandemic has brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health.

'It has highlighted that health equity is still not a reality as COVID-19 has unequally affected many racial and ethnic minority groups, putting them more at risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.'

Figures from Emory as of Saturday show that for every 100,000 people, 114 white people have died; that's compared to 127 African American, 118 Hispanic and 139 American Native.  

Fauci said correcting societal wrongs will take a commitment of decades, and he urged the graduates to be part of the solution.

The infectious disease expert also said that once society returns to 'some form of normality,' people should not forget that infectious disease has disproportionally hospitalized and killed people of color.

Fauci on Sunday was awarded the Emory University president's medal. 

Previous recipients include former President Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon. 

In accepting the award, Fauci denounced the destruction of division.

'Societal divisiveness is counterproductive in a pandemic,' Fauci said. 'We must not be at odds with each other since the virus is the enemy, not each other.'

He praised the graduates for handling the profound disruption of the pandemic.

'Not since the influenza pandemic of 1918 has humanity faced a public health crisis of this magnitude,' he said. 

'Each of you deserves enormous respect for your extraordinary adaptability, resilience and dedication to learning, completing your studies and graduating despite immense difficulties and uncertainties.'