The Democrats and their allies in the media and academic circles prove once again that they only believe in science if it advances their agenda. Last week, historian David Blight and history student Griffin Black wrote a Washington Post op-ed headlined “Black people aren’t naturally vulnerable to COVID-19. That’s junk race science.”
This op-ed was prompted by a segment that NPR did on why COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on blacks in New Orleans. According to Cedric Richmond (D-LA), the reason was systemic racism. This is the current catchall by Democrats for anything that impacts the black population in a negative way. The term systemic racism is what they use to keep the black population voting for the Democrats even though the Democrats never do anything for them.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) agreed that if non-physiological factors were present, they should be addressed. However, as a physician, Cassidy noted that other medical explanations might play a role. Cassidy noted that, regardless of race, obesity, hypertension and diabetes are known factors that increase the risk for COVID-19 complications. Since these comorbidities are 40% to 60% more common in blacks, Cassidy raised the possibility that these factors may play a role in greater mortalities among blacks.
Cassidy noted,
“Since there is an increased number of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) receptors associated with these diseases and since coronavirus enters cells by attaching to ACE receptors, higher than normal numbers may increase susceptibility to COVID-19 complications.”
Comorbidities, ACE receptors and COVID-19 are medical facts. It is not yet proven that such comorbidities CAUSE an increased mortality. However, these things are being discussed widely in medical circles. The correlation is clearly there. Dr. Fauci, NIH head, has alluded to such underlying medical conditions as a possible explanation.
Despite this, Blight and Black have referred to these medical facts as “junk science.” Why? In their worldview only sociological factors matter. Medical facts are irrelevant. This is lysenkoism at its worst. And now they add that discussions of such medical facts are racist. For Blight and Black this allows them to avoid having a rational discussion based on science.
Once again, the Democrats, through their propaganda rag, the Washington Post, show themselves to be anti-science. This is a blatant attempt to deny science when it conflicts with a preferred political narrative.
Cassidy noted,
“African Americans have borne an outsized burden from COVID-19. To save lives, physiology must trump ideology. Moralistic ignorance spouted by academic historians may win plaudits in their social circles, but it does nothing for souls fighting for their lives inside ICUs. It does nothing to keep them out of the ICU. We should care more about saving lives than political correctness.”
To that I say, Amen.