The way the virus enters the body is thought to be through ACE-2 receptors. The researcher on this is early but has been studied a little as SARS entered the body in the same way.
Ace-2 receptors are in higher concentrations in men than women, so men are thought to be generally more prone to infection to begin with.
Having a high concentration of ACE-2 receptors means you are more predesposed to having certain underlying conditions which, if you catch NCP, mean you may have a more serious reaction to it.
So this is thought to be a possible double whammy of extra risk factors.
There is also thought to be a third from your ethnic genetic background.
East Asian populations (so China, Japan, South Korean etc) have the highest concentration of ACE-2 receptors cells, high than in black or causcian populations.
If all this research does turn out to be true it could mean that Chinese men with diabetes or heart problems could be particularly at risk. Especially if their overall access to health care is poorer than the West with conditions which make you higher risk left untreated or undiagnosed.
We should be aware of this because it does highlight racism within medicine and medical research.
To date most research into ACE-2 receptors has been carried out on white populations. This could mean that we are at a massive disadvantage to stop the spread of NCP because we don't fully understand crucial things about ACE-2 receptors. It stresses the need for greater diversity in research as a failure to examine how different genetic populations have slightly different health risks could be putting us all at risk as a pandemic particularly proves.
Since the SARS outbreak 17 years ago, there has been little interest in researching how viruses enter the body through ACE-2 receptors. This could be viewed as racist in its own right. Why did no one want to look into producing a potential vaccine when the death rate of SARS so was high? Its a massive oversight.
In terms of the UK, the fact we are a majority causcian population means as a herd, our country may have a slight extra resistance to infection. This could benefit non-White because it might mean the rate of infection is lower and there may be far less serious cases, meaning those who do get very sick have better access to care. This might make a massive difference to how it affects us in a pandemic.
This may all yet prove to be untrue once fully researched, but if entry into the body is indeed ACE-2 receptors this will mean that certain populations will have more risk factors than others. From a scientific point of view we should talk about this rather than trying to be politically correct.
Thats not to say that we shouldn't be sensitive to how racism can be used and arise because of this difference in risk factors. Its a fine line, but trying to shut down this conversation does leave those already most vulnerable to this disease in a position where extra help and support isn't provided.
Ultimately failure to research how the body works, means that we have less knowledge overall for treating any number of diseases - regardless of ethnic background. This isn't restricted to NCP.
So yes, skin colour does potentially matter here. But not for cultural reasons. NCP isn't racist but might effect those with certain genetics to a greater or lesser extent. We need to know if it does, to identify and help those most at risk.