Building a multisystemic understanding of societal resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The current global systemic crisis reveals how globalised societies are unprepared to face a pandemic. Beyond the dramatic loss of human life, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered widespread disturbances in health, social, economic, environmental and governance systems in many countries across the world. Resilience describes the capacities of natural and human systems to prevent, react to and recover from shocks. Societal resilience to the current COVID-19 pandemic relates to the ability of societies in maintaining their core functions while minimising the impact of the pandemic and other societal effects. Drawing on the emerging evidence about resilience in health, social, economic, environmental and governance systems, this paper delineates a multisystemic understanding of societal resilience to COVID-19. Such an understanding provides the foundation for an integrated approach to build societal resilience to current and future pandemics.

Qualitative analysis of the organisational response of a university hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis

“… 11 Sociological studies have highlighted the value of analyses of managerial solutions and failures during crises as one of the most efficient ways to learn from previous crises. 12 Unfortunately, such a culture of feedback on concrete elements of crisis management is not widespread in administrations in general and in hospitals in particular. 12 Several feedback meetings have taken place at our hospital for debriefing and to allow lessons to be learnt from this crisis, but no definitive change to the management of the hospital institution has emerged.…”

“… 12 Unfortunately, such a culture of feedback on concrete elements of crisis management is not widespread in administrations in general and in hospitals in particular. 12 Several feedback meetings have taken place at our hospital for debriefing and to allow lessons to be learnt from this crisis, but no definitive change to the management of the hospital institution has emerged. This sociological survey contributed to efforts to analyse the response to the crisis and to provide feedback, and its insights were appreciated by the medical community.…”

“…Another key lesson may be that the battle is usually won or lost in the myriad actions performed in the days, weeks and years before the crisis, and that, in preparing for the next emergency, we should expect the unexpected 11. Sociological studies have highlighted the value of analyses of managerial solutions and failures during crises as one of the most efficient ways to learn from previous crises 12. Unfortunately, such a culture of feedback on concrete elements of crisis management is not widespread in administrations in general and in hospitals in particular 12.…”

Navigating Education in the Context of COVID-19 Lockdowns and School Closures: Challenges and Resilience Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

“…The effects of school closures jeopardize gains made in learning outcomes and educational attainment observed over recent years, exacerbating the pre-existing challenges in the South African education system (UNESCO, 2021a). A key concern is the disengagement of learners from education through school attrition and dropout, particularly amongst female learners, most especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are disproportionately affected by school closures and drop-outs (Favara et al, 2021;Shung-King et al, 2021;UNESCO, 2021a;Wernli et al, 2021). Dropping out of school has significant consequences for the life trajectories of AGYW; those that spend a significant amount of time out of school are unlikely to return (Tomlinson et al, 2021).…”

“…COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of remote learning in South Africa, but access to the internet nationwide is not universal, with socio-economically disadvantaged communities facing various barriers to accessing fast, reliable, and affordable internet solutions (Oluka et al, 2021). Whilst remote learning has ensured some level of continuity and reduced disruption to education, it is likely that the shift to online and internet-based learning has disproportionately impacted those learners from disadvantaged socioeconomic communities, particularly female learners (Oluka et al, 2021;Wernli et al, 2021).…”