A BBC News presenter has been in the center of an online controversy after she characterized care workers, bus drivers and other jobs as “low-skilled” while delivering the news.
The anchor in question is Fiona Bruce over her delivery during the 6:30pm BBC News.
The controversial remark came as she was citing a new research that found out higher casualty among the lower-pay jobs. Instead of this more neutral wording, Bruce reported that those in “lower skilled jobs” were more likely to die because of Covid-19.
Some viewers were quick in demanding that Bruce and the BBC apologize for equating a lower pay with lower skill levels. Others were more sympathetic and defended the 56 year old presenter as simply presenting the facts. As of this writing, the BBC has not released an official statement.
The numbers that Bruce was referring to does not seem to be inaccurate. Released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the new research found a correlation between salary and death rate in various occupations.
For instance, the research found out that security guards and bus drivers were four times more likely to die from Covid-19 compared to Britons who work as professors or accountants. The controversy is whether the difference between the occupations is a matter of skill.
One Twitter user who identified him as a trucker said that it definitely requires skill to drive a truck that weights over 4o tons while hauling combustible lorry. Another user pointed out that if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that these workers were the essential ones in our society.
Others defended Bruce by saying that importance had nothing to do with the level of skill. One user argued that Twitter users were again showing irrational anger, saying that Bruce was merely referring to a government report.
The ONS did clarify that the only other factors that were considered was age. Thus various other factors such as medical history, residence or personal wealth were not accounted for in this particular research.
While Bruce’s comments does not seem to be intentionally demeaning, it is also understandable why many would find her wording uncomfortable. The timing of her statement does not help her case, as many could stay home because of those in the lower paid jobs.
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Replaced!