Commentary: We’re doctors with a message for young people. You can control this pandemic and lead.
By JEANNETTE L. ALDOUS , CHRISTIAN B. RAMERS
Dear teens and twentysomethings of San Diego County,
Let us first take the opportunity to recognize you for all that you have done recently to move this country forward on social justice issues. Whether it’s climate change, gender rights or racial inequality, your generation has stood up and even taken to the streets to fight for justice. Based on your actions we know that you care about social justice and when you put your mind to it you can effect real change.
The coronavirus pandemic is one such opportunity. You may be aware that the current increases in coronavirus cases across the county, state and country are primarily driven by cases among young people. Sure, you’ve heard the taglines “cover your face, keep your distance,” etc. but since the virus is most often a mild infection in your age group, you may think all of this is overblown. We hope those of you who are athletes have heard that even with a mild case you could have long-term damage to your heart muscle that could delay or end your sports career. But for the vast majority of you, the coronavirus will be a mild illness — you are young and healthy so what’s the big deal? You might not have thought of it this way, but the big deal is that your mild case has a direct impact on racial and economic disparities in your community.
We are infectious disease specialists working in the central and southern regions of San Diego County. The communities we serve, which are primarily low-income, have been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic, experiencing a disproportionate burden of cases and deaths, and the greatest economic hardship. This is the definition of a health disparity. We hope you will recognize how these health disparities impact the people who work with or for you, cleaning your dorms, cooking or serving your food, serving you your coffee, driving your bus, Uber or Lyft; these people are among the groups most likely to experience the coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. And most likely, if they are people of color or if they have an underlying health condition, they also have a higher likelihood of getting sick and having a severe illness or even dying. So an increase in cases in your age group negatively impacts them, directly. As has been said, “We’re all in this together.”
