A review by julieannasbooks
The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide by Steven W. Thrasher

4.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced finished copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many disparities in infections and healthcare became more apparent to the general population. Why, on infection maps, were infections much more prominent in underprivileged areas? What happens to those who depend on assistance from others in their everyday lives? What factors influenced whether an infected person would seek medical care? And finally, what caused countermovements regarding masking and vaccinations across the country?

In The Viral Underclass, author Steven Thrasher combines his own experiences with his knowledge of not only COVID-19 but also HIV/AIDS and others. Using examples of disadvantaged populations, Thrasher demonstrates the differences (and consequences) of access to healthcare and the many factors that lead to such disparities. Breaking each factor into its own chapter, The Viral Underclass is well-organized and does well to break down what is quite a complex subject.

I don’t often prefer the injection of personal experiences, but Thrasher’s input was incredibly relevant and serves as another example of the disparities highlighted in this book. Therefore, this book would be more interesting to those that are looking for a less scientific and more conversational approach to writing style. Overall it’s an incredibly timely read, although always relevant.