Opinio Juris, (April 7, 2020).
This post analyzes how the racialization of diseases is accomplished more subtly and indirectly under the current global health architecture. We have seen some states completely elide the global health regime with entirely uncoordinated country-specific measures. Some of these responses are premised on defensive measures against contagion from racialized others. The response from global actors to the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us quite powerfully how the history of diseases and responses to diseases is linked to colonial and ongoing politics of racial exclusion. The material effects of the racialization of diseases exacerbates racial subordination and violates the fundamental human rights of historically subordinated groups. The COVID-19 pandemic is a timely reminder of the shared obligations of actors to ensure greater protection from highly infectious diseases and of the need for effective global action and solidarity.