In epidemiology, we learn susceptibility is risk due to a factor part of one’s biology—immune system, genetics, pregnancy—while vulnerability is risk due to external factors—discrimination, class, etc. The COVID discussion, particularly the vaccine discussion, lacks this nuance

There’s a difference between being at higher risk of contracting COVID/having bad symptoms because of one’s own biology & a higher risk due to systemic oppression. Both of these risks overlap, as discrimination also predisposes a person to greater susceptibility.

Many people are dying because of human-made factors: a health system that operates by discriminating against POC, queer people, disabled people, fat people, & more. This problem isn’t unique to COVID, & this MUST be a wake up call to radically address these disparities.

New studies show that disabled people are dying at higher rates from COVID than others. This is not only bc many disabled people have complex health needs leaving them susceptible to the virus, but also bc they are being treated in a system that devalues disabled lives.

None of these takes are new, and many activists and public health professionals have been saying this for months. I just find the susceptibility (internal) vs. vulnerability (external) helpful for understanding who is at risk and how we can direct resources to them.