Good Morning Britain health expert Dr Sarah Jarvis clashed with presenter Adil Ray during Friday’s edition of the ITV breakfast show.
The pair locked horns while discussing stricter lockdown measures that were introduced in some areas of north-west England last night following a spike in coronavirus cases.
In some areas affected such as Blackburn, approximately one-third of the population are from ethnic backgrounds including large Pakistani heritage communities.
Councillor Saima Afzal warned that there is a risk some will stigmatise Asian communities as a result.
Addressing concerns on GMB, Adil said: “I just feel that as a nation at a time like this, it’s important that we have a lot of understanding for each other at the moment because we can see how difficult it is.
GMB host Adil Ray expressed fears of communities being divided during Fridays show
“The worst thing we could see and the thing that worries me is that we start to point fingers at one another or pointing fingers at communities.
“It’s difficult for everyone.”
He added: “People have flouted the rules across all communities. We all know somebody who has probably flouted the rules.
“So we all need to get in check a little bit more.
Dr Sarah Jarvis insisted she was not ‘pointing fingers’
“But I really hope we don’t get divided by this and that we have some understanding and empathy.”
Dr Sarah was then quick to hit back at Adil and appeared to pull him up on his comments.
She said: “Adil, this is nothing about flouting the rules. This is nothing about pointing fingers – certainly from my perspective.
“This is about the fact that people from the BAME origin unfortunately are more likely to die if they get COVID and that’s one of the great horrors of this condition and in some respects a scandal.”
Adil was back on our screens this morning to present GMB alongside Ranvir Singh
Dr Sarah added: “There’s a concern they haven’t been protected.
“It’s partly because they are more likely to live in overcrowded populations, partly because people of Afro-Caribbean origin particularly are more likely to work in public-facing roles, partly because they’re more likely to have type 2 diabetes and heart conditions that increase your risk.
“We don’t know what all the factors are but what we do know if that they are at higher risk.”
Comedian and actor Adil is currently filling in for Ben Shephard on Thursdays and Fridays.
Ben is currently presenting Good Morning Britain Monday to Wednesday as Piers Morgan takes a break from the show.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
