THE NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
ISSN: 0331-4111 e-ISSN: 2736-075X
Volume 19, No. 2, November 2021
Pages 82-104
DOI: 10.36108/NJSA/1202.91.0260
Appraisal of Socio-Economic and Political Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Residents of Enugu State, Nigeria
1Martha Uchenna Ogbuke,2 Raphael Chima Ofoegbu and3 Stella Abel Ugwu
1,3Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
2Madonna University Okija, Nigeria
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic determines public health, presenting the biggest threat since the Second World War. All continents, except for Antarctica, are active in battling the pandemic. As other socio-economic and political problems are arising from this crisis, the pandemic cannot only be attributed to health issues. Every nation affected by this pandemic may witness a destructive or ravaging social, economic, political and psychological backlash that may leave long lasting scars. The World Bank has projected a decline in remittances of $110 billion and 800 million people will not be able to meet basic needs this year, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasting that over 195 million people will lose their jobs. In managing this pandemic, there is a need for strategic planning by a government organization through the development of long-lasting policies that will help minimize the impact on individuals and nations. Previous experiences of epidemics such as Ebola, HIV, SARs, TB and Malaria will therefore be valuable in the development of policies that can help to mitigate the socio-economic and political impact. The solution may lie in contacting the most vulnerable through crowd sourcing to provide them with food, in particular life necessities. Expanded social security may also be an important step in that direction for the disadvantaged and the disabled.
Keywords: Pandemic, global health, strategic socio-economic and political impact