Those in working class jobs are about two to three times more likely to die of covid-19 related deaths compared to those in middle class jobs.
The Office for National statistics allows you to look at the latest figures for covid-19 infections and covid-19 related deaths, and one of the aspects of the death rate it focuses on is how it varies by occupation.
The covid-related death rate is three times higher among men working in elementary and service occupations (the working classes) compared to those working in professional and managerial occupations (the upper middle classes)
The class difference in the covid related death rate isn’t quite as large for women – those in ‘working class’ jobs are only around twice as likely to die as those in professional jobs…
OK so I’m being quite crude in my measurements of social class, but nonetheless, this is yet more evidence of social class inequality in the UK
Why are the working classes more likely to die from Covid-19?
This article from The Conversation sums it up nicely:
Referring to the ‘coronavirus class divide’ (there’s a not so nice new concept for you!) the answer is very simple:
Working class jobs are the kind of jobs you have to be physically present to be able to do – cleaning, care work, taxi-driving, food and accomodation services – you simply have to be ‘out there’ away from home and you are more likely to be interacting with people.
And thus you are more exposed to the virus if you are working in a manual, working class job:
While if you’re in a managerial or professional role, it is much easier for you to work remotely, to work from home, or if you must go into your workplace, it is easier for you to maintain social distance by shielding yourself in an office or at your individual work station.
The figures for stay at home work, post lockdown, are much higher for those in middle class jobs:
So there is even a class divide when it comes to your chances of contracting and dying from covid-19
Relevance to A-level sociology
This can be used as a rather depressing update to the ‘death rate’ topic which is part of families and households, or the ‘health’ topic within global development.
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