Emotional risk assessments in the field: Leaving Tanzania during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This article provides a narrative account of one anthropologist's experiences in the field at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The account is based on the researcher's field diary and digital communication, supplemented by online news reports from the period March to May 2020. The researcher's emotional assessments of the risks that COVID-19 posed to herself and others around her stood in sharp contrast to the way her interlocutors in the field responded to the virus. The article makes a case for the empirical value of a researcher's emotions, especially in moments of confusion and feelings of disconnection, in order to understand varying risk perceptions. This article moreover draws attention to the experiences of people living outside the initial epicentres of the pandemic. Many Tanzanians perceived COVID-19 as just one risk among many in their already uncertain daily lives.

Antibiotic dispensing practices during COVID-19 and implications for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Parallel mystery client studies in Uganda and Tanzania

“…Lastly, our nding on the differential compliance with internationally recognised preventative measures for curtailing the spread of COVID-19 (such as handwashing and wearing a mask) reveals how national policy responses shaped individuals' behaviours and perceptions of risk. Other studies in Tanzania have observed limited social distancing and preventative measures [33]. This contrasts with Uganda, where more stringent policies and public health messaging were adopted, including school closures, household lockdowns and hygiene measures.…”

“…Comparing drug dispensing practices in Uganda and Tanzania is important because although their antibiotic provision landscapes were similar pre-COVID-19, their early COVID-19 policy response diverged considerably in ways that may have shaped individual risk assessment, compliance with safety guidelines, and susceptibility to AMR [33]. During the pandemic, Uganda implemented stringent household lockdowns and social distancing regulations, including restrictions on public travel and closure of non-essential shops and markets.…”

“…Tanzania's approach was less consistent: uctuating from strict public health measures being in place (March-April 2020), through a period of so-called 'COVID denial' (April 2020 -early 2021) in which public health measures and testing capacity were rolled back [34,35]. Before 2021, Tanzania was one of the few countries that imposed few physical distancing measures [33,36]. Although residents were advised against physical contacts, such as shaking hands, there have been no major lockdowns or closures of non-essential activities in order to protect the country's economy, and no restrictions on public gatherings for religious activities [33,36].…”

“…Before 2021, Tanzania was one of the few countries that imposed few physical distancing measures [33,36]. Although residents were advised against physical contacts, such as shaking hands, there have been no major lockdowns or closures of non-essential activities in order to protect the country's economy, and no restrictions on public gatherings for religious activities [33,36]. Misinformation has also been prevalent in Tanzania.…”

“…Misinformation has also been prevalent in Tanzania. For example, spiritual remedies through prayers were promoted as strategies for combatting the pandemic [33,35]. With new leadership (March 2021 -present) the position is of stricter measures to curb the spread of the virus, such as the enforcement of mass masking mandates and the establishment of new testing centres.…”