There has been a disproportionate number of deaths from this virus, Covid-19, in France in 2020.
If you look at the map, you would see a disproportionate number of infections and deaths in certain provinces. It also happens to be cities and provinces (Paris, Lyon, Marseilles) which have large number of migrants and descendants from Muslim countries, as they account for the majority of migrants to France.
CONGRATULATIONS, FRANCE!
Other hot spots also have reasons. Take for example Bas-rhin, part of Alsace on the northeastern part of France. After the world war II, there had been a dramatic increase in population and thus it is feasible that it has a large number of older population. Both provinces of Alsace have high rates of infection . The rates of death in these places, where the immigrants and older people represent a high proportion of the population, are also much higher than the international or European average.
It is interesting to look at New York City which is the epicentre of the Covid-19. But once you dissect it, a lot of truth about migration, marginalization and poverty comes through.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population of Queens is 50% white, 28% Hispanic, 24% Asian, 21% black, and 3% mixed race. Almost half (48%) of Queens residents are foreign born, and 56% speak a language other than English at home. Some of the largest ethnic groups are Chinese (9%), West Indian (7%), Italian (7%), Indian (5%), and Irish (5%).
When we were being taught about Stress at medical school, I remember the teacher saying that Migration is the second most stressful thing imaginable. Having never migrated anywhere I cannot imagine it but being a traveler, I am very aware of the situation faced by an immigrant . Usually the migration is from a poor country to a richer one, perhaps with a different language or religion. They would also be poorer than the native born for a few decades to come.
The people who escape this statistics are what I call, Lateral Migration. The best example is an Australian coming to USA.. it is almost coming to another state of Australia. Americans admire Australia and also a romantic notion of wild west in their minds. Most Australian visitors to these lands are educated and can integrate into the society well. Integration is the key. Also, most of the lateral migrants tend to return home. Many of them are expatriates who are staying a few years away from their countries of origin.
Of the “migrants” I have the greatest sympathy and affection for, are the workers from Asia in the Middle East Arab countries. While the majority of the workers from Pakistan, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are happy to be there, they are not migrants in the classical sense, they are not expatriates , even though the term migrants and expatriates could be used for them. Neither do they have hope of becoming residents of the country where they are working and eventual citizenship. One observation: when I meet a Filipino, Indian, Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi, the scope of interaction is totally different and far more pleasant for me, were I to meet them in the USA. I always wondered why I do not have any Indian or Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi friend in the USA?
But Migration is every day fact of life. I belong to the school of welcoming new comers, rather than asking why they had left their countries. This humble lesson was taught me by a Bangladeshi post card seller on the tourist streets of Lisbon. Innocently I asked him, you have no connection to this country, why are you in Portugal? Poverty, sir, he looked at me with disdain.
Welcome, Brothers and Sisters. Educate and Stay Safe..
