Human rights activists, Segun Awosanya also known as Segalink on social media has said that individuals living in polluted areas are more likely to die of Covid-19 than other people.
Quoting a Harvard study, Segalink said via his Twitter handle @segalink that the likelihood of dying from the virus was 15% more for every microgram increase in air pollution.
See Also: Nigeria Records 195 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Infected Hits 3,145 – NCDC
He noted that many Covid-19 deaths in Italy and mainland Europe occured a around areas affected by pollution.
He reasoned that it made sense since pollution increases vulnerability to the virus by inducing respiratory conditions and heart problems.
Harvard Scientists reveals that studies have found people living in polluted areas are more likely to die from coronavirus & for everyone 1microgram increase in the air pollution, PM2.5… 15% more deaths occur.
Almost half of Italy’s deaths occurred in one of its most polluted regions, Lombardy (Environmental Pollution). A study of 66 European regions found that 78% of deaths occurred in juts 5 areas all heavily polluted by NO2 (Science of the total Environment).
Scientists think the link is because pollution causes diseases that increase vulnerability to #COVID19 such as respiratory conditions and heart problems. The findings could reveal why ethnic minorities are dying from COVID-19 in higher numbers.
As many minority communities are disadvantaged in urban areas and face heavy exposure to air pollution.
“In the UK, people with black African backgrounds have died at 3.5 times the rate of white people & Pakistani background at 2.5 times the rate” -Institute of Fiscal Studies.
Across the world, air has got much cleaner during the lockdown with pollution falling by half in Delhi, Seoul and Wuhan (Air Quality Index). In Europe, researchers say the drop in pollution has prevented 11,000 premature deaths (CREA).
Scientists say we must take steps to limit pollution as lockdowns lift. Otherwise it could exacerbate a second wave of the virus. From Paris to Bogotá, cities are expanding bike lanes to deter driving & France will pay for your bike repairs & cycling lessons after lockdown.
The question I want to ask is what our leaders in Nigeria are prepared to do in response to the COVID-19 threat despite the obvious failings across our health sector and environment.
Documentary: @wef
Research Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. @Harvard