COVID-19, Physical Distancing and Social Inequalities: Are We all Really in this Together?

Abstract

<jats:p> In the absence of a vaccine for combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), countries globally are going in for a national lockdown and are mandating all people to stay indoors, and, if out in the public domain, to maintain 2-m distance, wear masks and wash hands with soap to mitigate the spread of the virus and its community transmission. The significance of the much neglected public health measures to deal with communicable diseases has come back to haunt several countries with a large proportion of people who are poor and who live in dense settlements with low levels of public provisioning of basic amenities. This article attempts to examine the feasibility of the recommended physical distancing using data from a national level sample from India. With the aid of data on parameters such as access to water, toilet, electricity, mobile phone and secure employment from the 75th and 76th National Sample Survey Rounds of 2017–2018, a Physical Distancing Readiness Index has been constructed. The performance of 27 states and 2 union territories of India is examined using the Index. This study examines the statistical correlation of a Physical Distancing Readiness Index to the incidence rate and case fatality ratio of COVID-19. Our results show that the poorer households are unequally endowed for observing physical distancing and ensuring the effective implementation of lockdown, which leads to disproportionate increase in the incidence rate and case fatality ratio, keeping other factors constant. </jats:p>

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Concerning COVID-19 Among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Surveyed Study

“…In comparison to the international records, positive association was found between knowledge and individual educational background which supported our findings. 15,16 Therefore, our findings were not so different from previous studies although our study confined in College of Applied Medical Sciences. The participant's attitude score towards COVID-19 was positive.…”

Organizational learning—COVID-19 experience: innovative global practices for improving patient care in crisis response

“…A statistical correlation of a Physical Distancing Readiness Index exists to the incidence rate and case fatality ratio of COVID-19. In particular, there is a disproportionality of the capacity of poor households to observe social distancing and adhere to lockdowns, leading to an increase in infection rates (32). Addressing public health implications and prioritizing policy and planning measures post-COVID to ensure the health of everyone.…”

“…Addressing public health implications and prioritizing policy and planning measures post-COVID to ensure the health of everyone. This includes addressing huge deficits such as accessibility to clean drinking water, toilet facilities, clean environment and living conditions, electricity, and access to health information to minimize health and social implications (32). Inequities may be disrupted by noting many people are "deprived of earning and income but also live in dense habitations with poor access to water and sanitation, creating barriers to hand washing, maintaining hygiene and observing physical distance" to prevent the implications of the pandemic (32).…”

Risk Factors and Effects of the Morbus: COVID-19 through the Biopsychosocial Model and Ecological Systems Approach to Social Work Practice

“…Social distancing is a measure that has been put by authorities [macrocosms] to help minimize the proliferation of COVID-19 as it reduces physical contact between people [microcosms and mesocosms] (Wilder-Smith & Freedman, 2020). A study examining the statistical correlation of a Physical Distancing Readiness Index to the incidence rate and case fatality ratio of COVID-19 showed that poorer households are disproportionately endowed for observing physical distancing and optimum implementation of lockdown (Lingham & Sapkal, 2020). For residents of the urban slum [mesocosms], social distancing is impossible if such a protocol does not come with related social protection interventions [macrocosms] targeted to the most socially vulnerable in the society [microcosms and mesocosms] (Wasdani & Prasad, 2020).…”