Covid-19 and ethnicity: is there a connection? Plus Olivia Colman on feeding London’s hungry

It’s thought around 34 percent of people with covid-19 in the UK come from a Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority background. Those communities make up 14 percent of the population in England and Wales. The government has tasked NHS England with looking at the issue, but now Labour is launching a rival review, headed by Baroness Doreen Lawrence. 

In this episode of The Leader podcast, we speak to infectious disease physician Manish Pareek to discuss the complexities of investigating this issue - including the fact that until recently the ethnic backgrounds of covid-19 victims have not been recorded. We also meet lawyer and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu to ask whether we really need two investigations.

Olivia Colman helps feed the hungry in London

Actor Olivia Colman has been helping prepare meals for the needy with the Felix Foundation. The charity is a partner with the Evening Standard’s Food for London Now campaign, which today announced donations have passed £3 million. Evening Standard investigations editor David Cohen joins The Leader podcast to explain why coronavirus is exacerbating the issue of food poverty in London, and how the generosity of Evening Standard readers is making a difference.

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