:en:Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic #Elderly care

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences beyond the spread of the disease itself and efforts to quarantine it, including political, cultural, and social implications.

Political impacts

A number of provincial-level administrators of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were dismissed over their handling of the quarantine efforts in Central China, a sign of discontent with the political establishment's response to the outbreak in those regions. Some experts, such as political scientists Dali Yang and Willy Wo-Lap Lam, believed this to likely be a move to protect Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping from people's anger over the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/analysis-china-hubei-officials-sacked-xi-jinping-protected-2020-2|title=China sacked a brace of top officials in Hubei province, likely in a move to protect Xi Jinping from people's anger over the coronavirus pandemic|last=Bostock|first=Bill|website=Business Insider|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218062450/https://www.businessinsider.com/analysis-china-hubei-officials-sacked-xi-jinping-protected-2020-2|archive-date=18 February 2020|url-status=live|date=13 February 2020}} A news report published by the Financial Times expressed that outcry over the disease was a rare instance of protest against the CCP in China.{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b7d948de-4b01-11ea-95a0-43d18ec715f5|title=Coronavirus death toll tops Sars as public backlash grows|last=Yu|first=Sun|date=9 February 2020|work=Financial Times|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226023042/https://www.ft.com/content/b7d948de-4b01-11ea-95a0-43d18ec715f5|archive-date=26 February 2020|url-status=live}} Additionally, protests in the special administrative region of Hong Kong have strengthened due to fears of immigration from mainland China.{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/wuhan-virus-hong-kong-protests-china-12348984|title=Hong Kong protesters torch planned Wuhan virus quarantine building|website=CNA|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206010849/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/wuhan-virus-hong-kong-protests-china-12348984|archive-date=6 February 2020|url-status=live}} Taiwan has also voiced concern over being included in any travel ban involving the People's Republic of China (PRC) due to the "one-China policy" and its disputed political status.{{cite web|url=https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-taiwan-china-virus.html|title=Taiwan hits out at China virus travel bans|website=medicalxpress.com|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226021543/https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-taiwan-china-virus.html|archive-date=26 February 2020|url-status=live}} Further afield, the treasurer of Australia was unable to keep a pledge to maintain a fiscal surplus due to the effect of the coronavirus on the economy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-01/australia-walks-back-surplus-promise-on-deadly-virus-wildfires|title=Australia Walks Back Surplus Promise on Deadly Virus, Wildfires|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|first=Peter|last=Vercoe|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=February 2020 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202022029/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-01/australia-walks-back-surplus-promise-on-deadly-virus-wildfires|archive-date=2 February 2020|access-date=14 March 2020}} A number of countries have been using the outbreak to show their support to China, such as when Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia made a special visit to China with an aim to showcase Cambodia's support to China in fighting the outbreak of the epidemic.{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/china-and-cambodia-love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/|title=China and Cambodia: Love in the Time of Coronavirus|last1=Tiezzi|first1=Shannon|date=6 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206005246/https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/china-and-cambodia-love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/|archive-date=6 February 2020|access-date=10 February 2020}}

The United States president Donald Trump was criticised for his response to the pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=David |title='I don't take responsibility': Trump shakes hands and spreads blame over coronavirus |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/13/donald-trump-coronavirus-national-emergency-sketch |work=The Guardian |date=14 March 2020 |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314224759/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/13/donald-trump-coronavirus-national-emergency-sketch |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fact-check-friday-trumps-coronavirus-response-plagued-misstatements/story?id=69590582|title=Fact Check Friday: Trump's coronavirus response plagued with misstatements|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314222510/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fact-check-friday-trumps-coronavirus-response-plagued-misstatements/story?id=69590582|archive-date=14 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-europe-travel/index.html|title=Trump address sparks chaos as coronavirus crisis deepens|first=Stephen|last=Collinson|website=CNN |access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314233334/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-europe-travel/index.html|archive-date=14 March 2020|url-status=live}} He was accused of making several misleading or false claims, of failing to provide adequate information, and of downplaying the pandemic's significance.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/13/21176535/trumps-worst-statements-coronavirus|title=Trump's 7 worst statements on the coronavirus pandemic|last=Burns|first=Katelyn|date=13 March 2020|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314135213/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/13/21176535/trumps-worst-statements-coronavirus|archive-date=14 March 2020|url-status=live}} Trump was also criticised for having closed down the global health security unit of the United States National Security Council, which was founded to prepare the government for potential pandemics.{{cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-struggles-explain-why-he-disbanded-his-global-health-team-n1153221|title=Trump struggles to explain why he disbanded his global health team|website=MSNBC.com|date=9 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315071530/https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-struggles-explain-why-he-disbanded-his-global-health-team-n1153221|archive-date=15 March 2020|url-status=live}} Research suggests that the pandemic was a contributing factor to his failure to win reelection in the 2020 United States presidential election.{{Cite web|last1=Brodeur|first1=Abel|last2=Baccini|first2=Leonardo|last3=Weymouth|first3=Stephen|date=7 December 2020|title=How COVID-19 led to Donald Trump's defeat|url=http://theconversation.com/how-covid-19-led-to-donald-trumps-defeat-150110|access-date=2020-12-23|website=The Conversation|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216133347/https://theconversation.com/how-covid-19-led-to-donald-trumps-defeat-150110|url-status=live}}

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran was heavily affected by the virus, with at least two dozen members (approximately 10%) of the Iranian legislature being infected, as well as at least 15 other current or former top government officials, including the vice-president.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/coronavirus-pummels-iran-leadership-as-data-show-spread-is-far-worse-than-reported/2020/03/04/7b1196ae-5c9f-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html|title=Coronavirus pummels Iran leadership as data show spread is far worse than reported|last1=Cunningham|first1=Erin|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=15 March 2020|first2=Dalton |last2=Bennett |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314195629/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/coronavirus-pummels-iran-leadership-as-data-show-spread-is-far-worse-than-reported/2020/03/04/7b1196ae-5c9f-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html|archive-date=14 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/iran-says-10-percent-of-iranian-lawmakers-infected-with-coronavirus/|title=Iran Says 10 Percent of Iranian Lawmakers Infected With Coronavirus|date=3 March 2020|website=National Review|language=en-US|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313153500/https://www.nationalreview.com/news/iran-says-10-percent-of-iranian-lawmakers-infected-with-coronavirus/|archive-date=13 March 2020|url-status=live}} Advisers to Ali Khamenei and Mohammad Javad Zarif have died from the disease.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/adviser-to-irans-foreign-minister-dies-of-coronavirus/|title=Iran: 124 dead from virus including FM's adviser, could use force to stop travel|website=www.timesofisrael.com|date=6 March 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318184311/https://www.timesofisrael.com/adviser-to-irans-foreign-minister-dies-of-coronavirus/|archive-date=18 March 2020|url-status=live}} The spread of the virus has raised questions about the future survival of the regime and continuity of operations.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/03/will-irans-regime-survive-coronavirus/|title=Will Iran's Regime Survive Coronavirus?|date=12 March 2020|website=National Review|language=en-US|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314195405/https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/03/will-irans-regime-survive-coronavirus/|archive-date=14 March 2020|url-status=live}}

= Sovereignty =

M. Nicolas Firzli, director of the World Pensions Council (WPC) and advisory-board member at the World Bank Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), refers to the pandemic as "the Greater Financial Crisis", that will "bring to the surface pent-up financial and geopolitical dysfunctions ... [many] national economies will suffer as a result, and their political sovereignty itself may be severely eroded".{{Cite web|url=https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1ktp0wqc12jyb/ecr-risk-experts-contemplate-another-financial-crisis|title="ECR Risk Experts Contemplate another Financial Crisis", Euromoney, March 20 2020 - Jeremy Weltman.|access-date=27 March 2020|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705070706/https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1ktp0wqc12jyb/ecr-risk-experts-contemplate-another-financial-crisis|url-status=dead}}

= Civil rights and democracy =

In April 2020, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned that using states of emergency during the pandemic "should not be a weapon governments can wield to quash dissent, control the population, and even perpetuate their time in power".{{Cite web |date=2020-04-27 |title=COVID-19: Exceptional measures should not be cover for human rights abuses and violations – Bachelet |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2020/04/covid-19-exceptional-measures-should-not-be-cover-human-rights-abuses-and |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=OHCHR |language=en |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618112650/https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2020/04/covid-19-exceptional-measures-should-not-be-cover-human-rights-abuses-and |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-28 |title=UN raises alarm about police brutality in COVID-19 lockdowns |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/28/un-raises-alarm-about-police-brutality-in-covid-19-lockdowns |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728233953/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/raises-alarm-police-brutality-covid-19-lockdowns-200428070216771.html |url-status=live }} According to the OHCHR, around 80 countries already declared some form of state of emergency, with the most severe being among Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Peru, Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Uzbekistan, and Hungary.

Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, and Yemen banned or suspended the printing and distribution of newspapers.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-31|title=Iran bans printing of all newspapers, citing spread of coronavirus|url=https://cpj.org/2020/03/iran-bans-printing-of-all-newspapers-citing-spread/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Committee to Protect Journalists|language=en-US|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172827/https://cpj.org/2020/03/iran-bans-printing-of-all-newspapers-citing-spread/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-25|title=Jordan, Oman, Morocco, and Yemen suspend newspaper production, citing COVID-19 fears|url=https://cpj.org/2020/03/jordan-oman-morocco-and-yemen-suspend-newspaper-pr/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Committee to Protect Journalists|language=en-US|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172829/https://cpj.org/2020/03/jordan-oman-morocco-and-yemen-suspend-newspaper-pr/|url-status=live}} On 30 March 2020, the parliament of Hungary granted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the power to rule by decree for an indefinite period.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-30|title=Hungary's Viktor Orbán wins vote to rule by decree|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-viktor-orban-rule-by-decree/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=POLITICO|language=en-US|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427072819/https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-viktor-orban-rule-by-decree/|url-status=live}}

= Conflicts =

The pandemic appears to have worsened conflict dynamics;{{Cite journal|last=Mustasilta|first=Katariina|date=2020|title=FROM BAD TO WORSE?: The impact(s) of Covid-19 on conflict dynamics|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25022|periodical=Conflict Series|publisher=European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)|access-date=1 August 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116103537/https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25022|url-status=live}} it has also led to a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a global ceasefire. On March 23, 2020, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued an appeal for a global ceasefire as part of the United Nations' response to the pandemic.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-23|title=Transcript of the Secretary-General's virtual press encounter on the appeal for global ceasefire|url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2020-03-23/transcript-of-the-secretary-generals-virtual-press-encounter-the-appeal-for-global-ceasefire|access-date=2020-08-01|website=United Nations Secretary-General|language=en|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810040633/https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2020-03-23/transcript-of-the-secretary-generals-virtual-press-encounter-the-appeal-for-global-ceasefire|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-23|title=COVID-19: UN chief calls for global ceasefire to focus on 'the true fight of our lives'|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059972|access-date=2020-08-01|website=UN News|language=en|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003130744/https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059972/|url-status=live}} On 24 June 2020, 170 UN Member States and Observers signed a non-binding statement in support of the appeal,{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=170 signatories endorse UN ceasefire appeal during COVID crisis|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1066982|access-date=2020-08-01|website=UN News|language=en|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830034744/https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1066982|url-status=live}} rising to 172 on 25 June 2020. On 1 July 2020, the UN Security Council passed resolution S/RES/2532 (2020), demanding a "general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on its agenda," expressing support for "the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Special Representatives and Special Envoys in that respect," calling for "all parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause" of at least 90 consecutive days, and calling for greater international cooperation to address the pandemic.{{Cite web|title=S/RES/2532(2020) - E - S/RES/2532(2020)|url=https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2532(2020)|access-date=2020-08-01|website=undocs.org|archive-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828103112/https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2532%282020%29|url-status=live}}

Educational impact

File:Winston-Salem Street School closure.jpg

The pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the widespread closures of schools and universities.{{Cite web|last=McVeigh|first=Karen|date=2022-01-25|title=UN data reveals 'nearly insurmountable' scale of lost schooling due to Covid|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jan/25/un-data-reveals-nearly-insurmountable-scale-of-lost-schooling-due-to-covid|access-date=2022-01-26|website=The Guardian |language=en|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126170945/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jan/25/un-data-reveals-nearly-insurmountable-scale-of-lost-schooling-due-to-covid|url-status=live}} According to data released by UNESCO on 25 March, school and university closures due to COVID-19 were implemented nationwide in 165 countries. Including localized closures, this affects over 1.5 billion students worldwide, accounting for 87% of enrolled learners.{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-emergencies/coronavirus-school-closures|title=COVID-19 Educational Disruption and Response|date=2020-03-04|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329110914/https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-emergencies/coronavirus-school-closures|url-status=live}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Aristovnik A, Keržič D, Ravšelj D, Tomaževič N, Umek L | title = Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life of Higher Education Students: A Global Perspective | journal = Sustainability | volume = 12 | issue = 20 | pages = 8438 | date = October 2020 | doi = 10.3390/su12208438 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2020Sust...12.8438A | url = https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?id=140328&dn= | access-date = 6 February 2024 | archive-date = 6 February 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240206230706/https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?id=140328&dn= | url-status = live }} Those higher education universities have also impacted their students by deciding not to stop classes but rather migrate everything to virtual. Of 195 students interview surveyed at a large university, their findings show that there is an increased concern in mental health of these students.{{Cite journal|last1=Son|first1=Changwon|last2=Hegde|first2=Sudeep|last3=Smith|first3=Alec|last4=Wang|first4=Xiaomei|last5=Sasangohar|first5=Farzan|date=2020-09-03|title=Effects of COVID-19 on College Students' Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study|journal=Journal of Medical Internet Research|volume=22|issue=9|pages=e21279|doi=10.2196/21279|issn=1439-4456|pmc=7473764|pmid=32805704 |doi-access=free }} During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people who were not connected to the internet lost access to health care and education. Production in all industries was seriously harmed.{{Cite web |title=Digital infrastructure help Africa build resilient societies |url=https://www.eib.org/en/essays/african-digital-infrastructure |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905024355/https://www.eib.org/en/essays/african-digital-infrastructure |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=COVID-19 and Africa: Socio-economic implications and policy responses |url=https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/covid-19-and-africa-socio-economic-implications-and-policy-responses-96e1b282/ |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=OECD |language=en |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908124538/https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/covid-19-and-africa-socio-economic-implications-and-policy-responses-96e1b282/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Africa and Europe: In the face of common opportunities and challenges, let's build common responses {{!}} EEAS Website |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/africa-and-europe-face-common-opportunities-and-challenges-lets-build-common-responses_en |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908130038/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/africa-and-europe-face-common-opportunities-and-challenges-lets-build-common-responses_en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=COVID-19 |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/coronavirus |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=World Bank |language=en |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908124536/https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/coronavirus |url-status=live }}

COVID-19 and inequality

Low income individuals are more likely to contract COVID-19 and to die from it.{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Max |last2=Bubola |first2=Emma |title=As Coronavirus Deepens Inequality, Inequality Worsens Its Spread |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/world/europe/coronavirus-inequality.html |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401235600/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/world/europe/coronavirus-inequality.html |url-status=live }} In both New York City and Barcelona, low income neighborhoods are disproportionately hit by COVID-19 cases. Hypotheses for why this is the case include that poorer families are more likely to live in crowded housing and work in the low skill jobs, such as supermarkets and elder care, which are deemed essential during the crisis.{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Larry |last2=Patel |first2=Jugal K. |last3=Rosenthal |first3=Brian M. |last4=Singhvi |first4=Anjali |title=A Month of Coronavirus in New York City: See the Hardest-Hit Areas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/01/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-cases-map.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=1 April 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407035710/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/01/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-cases-map.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Stephen |last1=Burgen |first2=Sam |last2=Jones |title=Poor and vulnerable hardest hit by pandemic in Spain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/poor-and-vulnerable-hardest-hit-by-pandemic-in-spain |access-date=1 April 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=1 April 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401073247/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/poor-and-vulnerable-hardest-hit-by-pandemic-in-spain |url-status=live }} In the United States, millions of low-income people may lack access to health care due to being uninsured or underinsured.{{cite magazine |title=Coronavirus May Disproportionately Hurt the Poor—And That's Bad for Everyone |url=https://time.com/5800930/how-coronavirus-will-hurt-the-poor/ |access-date=2 April 2020 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331181536/https://time.com/5800930/how-coronavirus-will-hurt-the-poor/ |url-status=live }} Millions of Americans lost their health insurance after losing their jobs.{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: 5.4m Americans lost health insurance during pandemic, report says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-health-insurance-pandemic-families-usa-report-a9617226.html |work=The Independent |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-health-insurance-pandemic-families-usa-report-a9617226.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=27 million Americans could lose health insurance as Congress proposes industry 'bailout' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/health-insurance-obamacare-aca-medicaid-congress-a9513201.html |work=The Independent |date=13 May 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904003645/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/health-insurance-obamacare-aca-medicaid-congress-a9513201.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Up to 43m Americans could lose health insurance amid pandemic, report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/10/us-health-insurance-layoffs-coronavirus |work=The Guardian |date=May 20, 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930182907/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/10/us-health-insurance-layoffs-coronavirus |url-status=live }} Many low income workers in service jobs have become unemployed.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Derek |title=The Coronavirus Will Be a Catastrophe for the Poor |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-will-supercharge-american-inequality/608419/ |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=The Atlantic |date=20 March 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401214810/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-will-supercharge-american-inequality/608419/ |url-status=live }}

Many people began teleworking during the pandemic, however teleworking has only been suitable for a tiny group of workers. Highly educated workers, usually in white-collar professions have been able to telework more than other working environments. For those still commuting to work despite the pandemic or other factors, transport remains vital.{{Cite web |title=Urban mobility gets a rethink after COVID-19 |url=https://www.eib.org/en/essays/urban-mobility-after-covid |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905031422/https://www.eib.org/en/essays/urban-mobility-after-covid |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=COVID-19 and the shift to remote work |url=https://www.bruegel.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/PC-09-2022.pdf |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713141731/https://www.bruegel.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/PC-09-2022.pdf |url-status=live }}

Religious impact

File:COVID-19 NC church closure.jpg

The pandemic has impacted religion in various ways, including the cancellation of the worship services of various faiths, the closure of Sunday Schools, as well as the cancellation of pilgrimages surrounding observances and festivals.{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Daniel |title=What churches, mosques and temples are doing to fight the spread of coronavirus |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/world/churches-mosques-temples-coronavirus-spread/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=16 March 2020 |language=en |date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314232611/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/world/churches-mosques-temples-coronavirus-spread/index.html |archive-date=14 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples have offered worship through livestream amidst the pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Parke |first1=Caleb |title=Churches cancel Sunday service, move online amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/coronavirus-update-church-sunday-service-online |publisher=Fox News |access-date=16 March 2020 |language=en |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315105659/https://www.foxnews.com/us/coronavirus-update-church-sunday-service-online |archive-date=15 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Relief wings of religious organisations have dispatched medical supplies and other aid to affected areas.{{cite web |title=Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |url=https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/Coronavirus |publisher=Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318185309/https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/Coronavirus |archive-date=18 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Adherents of many religions have gathered together to pray for an end to the pandemic, for those affected by it, as well as for the deity they believe in to give physicians and scientists the wisdom to combat the disease;{{cite web |last1=Sheva |first1=Arutz |title=Thousands to pray at Western Wall for end to COVID-19 epidemic |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/276027 |publisher=Israel National News |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318185306/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/276027 |archive-date=18 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Solovy |first1=Alden |title=Coronavirus: A Prayer for Medical Scientists |url=https://reformjudaism.org/blog/2020/02/27/coronavirus-prayer-medical-scientists |publisher=Union for Reform Judaism |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318165546/https://reformjudaism.org/blog/2020/02/27/coronavirus-prayer-medical-scientists |archive-date=18 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first1=Donald|last1=Trump|author1-link=Donald Trump |title=Proclamation on the National Day of Prayer for all Americans Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic and for our National Response Efforts |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-day-prayer-americans-affected-coronavirus-pandemic-national-response-efforts/ |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120202043/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-day-prayer-americans-affected-coronavirus-pandemic-national-response-efforts/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|url-status=live }} in the United States, Trump designated 15 March 2020 as a National Day of Prayer for "God’s healing hand to be placed on the people of our Nation".{{cite web |last1=Casiano |first1=Louis |title=Trump declares Sunday a National Day of Prayer amid coronavirus crisis |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-sunday-national-day-of-prayer |publisher=Fox News |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318185306/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-sunday-national-day-of-prayer |archive-date=18 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Parke |first1=Caleb |title=Trump, millions go to church online on National Day of Prayer amid coronavirus |url=https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-update-trump-church-online-service-stream-video |publisher=Fox News |access-date=17 March 2020 |language=en |date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317164238/https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-update-trump-church-online-service-stream-video |archive-date=17 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

Healthcare and COVID-19

One of the social impacts of COVID-19 is its influence on healthcare. Two main changes in healthcare include the providers’ experience of patient care and delivery of care. With the start of COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers struggled to keep up with an increase in demands, a reduced capacity, increased stress and workload, and to lack of protective equipment.{{Cite journal|last1=Liu|first1=Qian|last2=Luo|first2=Dan|last3=Haase|first3=Joan E|last4=Guo|first4=Qiaohong|last5=Wang|first5=Xiao Qin|last6=Liu|first6=Shuo|last7=Xia|first7=Lin|last8=Liu|first8=Zhongchun|last9=Yang|first9=Jiong|last10=Yang|first10=Bing Xiang|date=June 2020|title=The experiences of health-care providers during the COVID-19 crisis in China: a qualitative study|journal=The Lancet Global Health|volume=8|issue=6|pages=e790–e798|doi=10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30204-7|pmid=32573443|pmc=7190296|issn=2214-109X|doi-access=free}}

COVID-19 changed the perception of patient care for providers. Research about patient care during COVID-19 suggested that nurses, for example, felt more confident in their skills and role in the healthcare team. Nurses viewed their profession as essential and felt increased pride in their services, as well as, patients and other healthcare workers gained a better perspective of the nursing profession. The close contact and extensive care nurses provided during the pandemic allowed them to appreciate the nursing profession. Moreover, the research indicates that nurses achieved professional growth, and uncovered a greater need to provide counseling services for COVID-19 patients to help cope with their illness.{{Cite journal|last1=Galehdar|first1=Nasrin|last2=Toulabi|first2=Tahereh|last3=Kamran|first3=Aziz|last4=Heydari|first4=Heshmatolah|date=January 2021|title=Exploring nurses' perception of taking care of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A qualitative study|journal=Nursing Open|volume=8|issue=1|pages=171–179|doi=10.1002/nop2.616|issn=2054-1058|pmc=7729793|pmid=33318825}} Additional research suggested a different progression to nurses’ caregiving during COVID-19. Initially, nurses experienced negative emotions associated with patient care such as increased fatigue and stressful emotions. Many nurses found self-coping styles such as teamwork and altruism to combat their fatigue. As the pandemic progressed, nurses developed a sense of gratefulness and self-reflection as opposed to the negative emotions during the initial stages of the pandemic.{{Cite journal|last1=Sun|first1=Niuniu|last2=Wei|first2=Luoqun|last3=Shi|first3=Suling|last4=Jiao|first4=Dandan|last5=Song|first5=Runluo|last6=Ma|first6=Lili|last7=Wang|first7=Hongwei|last8=Wang|first8=Chao|last9=Wang|first9=Zhaoguo|last10=You|first10=Yanli|last11=Liu|first11=Shuhua|date=June 2020|title=A qualitative study on the psychological experience of caregivers of COVID-19 patients|journal=American Journal of Infection Control|volume=48|issue=6|pages=592–598|doi=10.1016/j.ajic.2020.03.018|issn=0196-6553|pmc=7141468|pmid=32334904}}

Healthcare delivery is another aspect of healthcare that changed during the pandemic. Most healthcare providers transitioned to providing virtual or telemedicine visits in place of traditional office visits. One study found that psychiatrists faced some barriers using telemedicine such as lack of non-verbal clues, access to internet issues, and environmental distraction. However, the overall transition to telemedicine was positive and successful, even though many patients and providers still prefer in-person interaction.{{Cite journal|last1=Uscher-Pines|first1=Lori|last2=Sousa|first2=Jessica|last3=Raja|first3=Pushpa|last4=Mehrotra|first4=Ateev|last5=Barnett|first5=Michael L.|last6=Huskamp|first6=Haiden A.|date=2020-11-01|title=Suddenly Becoming a "Virtual Doctor": Experiences of Psychiatrists Transitioning to Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic|journal=Psychiatric Services|volume=71|issue=11|pages=1143–1150|doi=10.1176/appi.ps.202000250|pmid=32933411|pmc=7606640|issn=1075-2730|doi-access=free}}

For healthcare providers, there is a shared feeling of responsibility, added challenges from working with COVID-19 patients, and finding ways to be resilient. As the research finds, COVID-19 placed healthcare providers in a new environment and with unexpected challenges. Providers experienced fears of helplessness, coupled with the obligation to know answers for their patients. Other common fears included becoming infected and spreading the disease to others. To mitigate these fears, the study suggested providing extensive and regular training to healthcare professionals.

= Post-quarantine transmission risks =

A current debate going on amongst the community involves the transmission risks post-quarantine. When COVID-19 reached the United States, the original required quarantine was 14 days of length, and later was shortened to 10 days, then 7 days, and eventually even 5 days in some places. Researchers have conducted studies using a variety of methods to analyze the statistical data behind the transmission risks. A group of researchers performed an experiment at numerous college universities, testing to examine what the post quarantine transmission risk was. From Harvard University, Duke University, Boston University, and Northeastern University, the post quarantine transmission risk after 7 days, was 13%.{{Cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Andrew Bo |last2=Davidi |first2=Dan |last3=Landsberg |first3=Hannah Emily |last4=Francesconi |first4=Maria |last5=Platt |first5=Judy T. |last6=Nguyen |first6=Giang T. |last7=Yune |first7=Sehyo |last8=Deckard |first8=Anastasia |last9=Puglin |first9=Jamie |last10=Haase |first10=Steven B. |last11=Hamer |first11=Davidson H. |last12=Springer |first12=Michael |date=2022-02-25 |title=Association of COVID-19 Quarantine Duration and Postquarantine Transmission Risk in 4 University Cohorts |journal=JAMA Network Open |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=e220088 |doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0088 |issn=2574-3805 |pmc=8881770 |pmid=35212750 }} However, the difficulty with this is that some individuals may remain communicable as short as 4 days or as long as 14 days. Another leading factor to the post quarantine transmission risks that researchers discovered, was that the different variants of covid, had different levels of contractibility.{{Cite journal |last1=Wells |first1=C. |last2=Pandey |first2=A. |last3=Gokcebel |first3=S. |last4=Krieger |first4=G. |last5=Donoghue |first5=H. |last6=Singer |first6=B |last7=Moghadas |first7=S. |last8=Galvani |first8=A. |last9=Townsend |first9=J. |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Quarantine and serial testing for variants of SARS-COV-2 with benefits of vaccination and boosting on consequent control of COVID-19 |url=https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/1/3/pgac100/6650682 |access-date=2022-09-26 |journal=PNAS Nexus |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=pgac100 |doi=10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac100 |pmid=35909795 |pmc=9335027 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926144235/https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/1/3/pgac100/6650682 |url-status=live }} After comparing the transmission risks from individuals with different strains, the Omicron strain was found to be the most communicable on day 5, but begins to balance out with the other strains in days 5-10. Having differing rates of infectivity for each variant can play a role in the amount of time an individual should quarantine. This is one of the many factors affecting the post quarantine transmission risks, and more research should be done before coming to a set conclusive quarantine time.

Psychological impact

On 18 March 2020, the World Health Organization issued a report related to mental health and psychosocial issues by addressing instructions and some social considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf |title=Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak |website=World Health Organization |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326231309/https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf |url-status=live }}

Due to doubts if pets or other livestock may pass on coronavirus to humans,{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html|title=Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): If You Have Animals|website=cdc.gov|date=11 February 2020|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401163720/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html|url-status=live}} many people were reluctant to keep their pets fearing transmission, for instance in the Arab World, celebrities were urging people to keep and protect their pets.{{cite web|url=https://arabic.cnn.com/entertainment/article/2020/03/31/arab-celebreties-fans-pets-do-not-infect-coronavirus|script-title=ar:فنانون عرب في رسالة لمتابعيهم: الحيوانات الأليفة لا تنقل فيروس كورونا|website=arabic.cnn.com|language=ar|date=31 March 2020|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402205306/https://arabic.cnn.com/entertainment/article/2020/03/31/arab-celebreties-fans-pets-do-not-infect-coronavirus|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, people in the United Kingdom tended to acquire more pets during the coronavirus lockdown.{{cite news |author= |title=Households 'buy 3.2 million pets in lockdown' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56362987 |work=BBC News |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=6 August 2021 |archive-date=7 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807020033/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56362987 |url-status=live }}

=Suicide=

{{main|Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic#Impact on suicides}}

The coronavirus pandemic has been followed by a concern for a potential spike in suicides, exacerbated by social isolation due to quarantine and social-distancing guidelines, fear, and unemployment and financial factors.{{cite journal|title=Suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic|author=Gunnell, David|display-authors=et al.|date=April 21, 2020|journal=The Lancet|volume=7 |issue=6 |pages=468–471 |doi=10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30171-1 |pmid=32330430 |pmc=7173821 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/warning-covid-19-could-lead-to-spike-in-suicide-rates-995502.html|title=Warning Covid-19 could lead to spike in suicide rates|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 27, 2020|author=Baker, Noel|work=Irish Examiner|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430151514/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/warning-covid-19-could-lead-to-spike-in-suicide-rates-995502.html|url-status=live}}

=Risk perception=

{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment#Psychology and risk perception}}

Chaos and the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may have made a catastrophic future seem less remote and action to prevent it more necessary. However, it may also have the opposite effect by having minds focus on the more immediate threat of the pandemic rather than the climate crisis or the prevention of other disasters.{{cite news |title=The Guardian view on Brazil and the Amazon: don't look away {{!}} Editorial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/05/the-guardian-view-on-brazil-and-the-amazon-dont-look-away |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=5 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212202346/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/05/the-guardian-view-on-brazil-and-the-amazon-dont-look-away |url-status=live }}{{additional citation needed|date=June 2020}}

= Coronaphobia =

Researchers have identified coronaphobia as a byproduct of the pandemic, where individuals have an excessive fear of contracting the virus that causes "marked impairment in daily life functioning".{{cite journal |last1=Arora |first1=Alisha |last2=Jha |first2=Amrit Kumar |last3=Alat |first3=Priya |last4=Das |first4=Sitanshu Sekhar |title=Understanding coronaphobia |journal=Asian Journal of Psychiatry |date=December 2020 |volume=54 |pages=102384 |doi=10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102384 |pmid=33271693 |pmc=7474809 }}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-16 |title="Coronaphobia": How antivaxxers and pandemic minimizers pathologize fear of disease {{!}} Science-Based Medicine |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/coronaphobia-how-antivaxxers-and-pandemic-minimizers-pathologize-fear-of-disease/ |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=sciencebasedmedicine.org |language=en-US |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104122225/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/coronaphobia-how-antivaxxers-and-pandemic-minimizers-pathologize-fear-of-disease/ |url-status=live }}

=Socialization=

Crowd anxiety and apprehension to pre-pandemic behavior were normalized due to the virus and subsequent lockdowns around the world. Additionally, social upheaval and other stressors have resulted in hesitancy to be comfortable sharing the same physical space with strangers.{{Cite web |last=Iovine |first=Anna |title=FODA (Fear of Dating Again) is a thing now |url=https://mashable.com/article/foda-fear-of-dating-again-post-pandemic-covid-dating/ |access-date=2021-03-23 |website=Mashable |date=16 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324144318/https://mashable.com/article/foda-fear-of-dating-again-post-pandemic-covid-dating/ |url-status=live }} In February 2021, Saturday Night Live poked fun at "post-COVID dating" after a year of isolation imagining the "weird quirks and behaviors we've picked up".{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |title='SNL' imagines the hilarious fails in store for all of our post-COVID date nights |url=https://mashable.com/video/snl-dating-after-covid-nick-jones/ |access-date=2021-03-23 |website=Mashable |date=28 February 2021 |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324123327/https://mashable.com/video/snl-dating-after-covid-nick-jones/ |url-status=live }}

Personal gatherings

File:First Annual COVID-19 Half-Marathon Finish Line.jpeg

The impact on personal gatherings has been strong as medical experts have advised, and local authorities often mandated stay-at-home orders to prevents gatherings of any size, not just the larger events that were initially restricted. Such gatherings may be replaced by teleconferencing, or in some cases with unconventional attempts to maintain social distancing with activities such as a balcony sing-along for a concert,{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/16/under-quarantine-balconies-around-world-set-stage-dj-sets-squats-singing/|title=During quarantine, balconies worldwide set the stage for DJ sets, squats and singing|last=Hassan|first=Jennifer|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317120231/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/16/under-quarantine-balconies-around-world-set-stage-dj-sets-squats-singing/|url-status=live}} or a "birthday parade" for a birthday party.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-birthday-party-parade-20200326-usm7zmusszcsxpvnfoztsiiapq-story.html|title=How do you celebrate a kid's birthday during the stay-at-home order? Try a Coronavirus Caravan, with drive-by signs and songs and smiles.|last=Ryan|first=Shannon|website=chicagotribune.com|date=26 March 2020|access-date=2020-03-29|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420165317/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-birthday-party-parade-20200326-usm7zmusszcsxpvnfoztsiiapq-story.html|url-status=live}} Replacements for gatherings have been seen as significant to mental health during the crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/bay-area-neighbors-still-sing-and-dance-in-light-of-coronavirus-shutdown|title=Bay Area neighbors sing and dance in social-distancing block party|last1=Janiak|first1=Lily|date=March 23, 2020|website=Datebook|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-29|archive-date=15 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515124949/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/bay-area-neighbors-still-sing-and-dance-in-light-of-coronavirus-shutdown|url-status=live}} In Finland, social isolation among alcohol users has also adopted a trend towards Kalsarikänni or "pantsdrunking", an antisocial drinking culture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-04-13/kalsarik-nnit-drinking-home-your-undies-finns|title=Kalsarikännit: Drinking at home in your undies, like Finns|website=The World from PRX|date=13 April 2020 |access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621080617/https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-04-13/kalsarik-nnit-drinking-home-your-undies-finns|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://matadornetwork.com/read/time-embrace-finnish-tradition-drinking-underwear/|title=It's time to embrace the Finnish tradition of drinking in your underwear|website=Matador Network|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=9 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209093808/https://matadornetwork.com/read/time-embrace-finnish-tradition-drinking-underwear/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/kalsarikannit-finnish-word-getting-drunk-underwear-lockdown/378776|title=The Finnish word for being drunk in underwear is perfect for now|first=Anna|last=Brech|date=11 April 2020|website=Stylist|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704054634/https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/kalsarikannit-finnish-word-getting-drunk-underwear-lockdown/378776|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://reachinghot.com/what-may-happen-after-coronavirus-in-finland/|title=What may happen after the coronavirus in Finland?|date=5 May 2020|website=Reachinghot|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704054640/https://reachinghot.com/what-may-happen-after-coronavirus-in-finland/|url-status=live}}

Domestic violence

Many countries have reported an increase in domestic violence and intimate partner violence attributed to lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/domestic-violence-rises-amid-coronavirus-lockdowns-in-asia/a-53077378|title=Domestic violence rises amid coronavirus lockdowns in Asia|last=Godbole|first=Tanika|date=9 April 2020|website=Deutsche Welle (DW)|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=18 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418201622/https://www.dw.com/en/domestic-violence-rises-amid-coronavirus-lockdowns-in-asia/a-53077378|url-status=live}} Financial insecurity, stress, and uncertainty have led to increased aggression at home, with abusers able to control large amounts of their victims' daily life.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Kirsty |title=Covid 19 coronavirus: Domestic violence is the second, silent epidemic amid lockdown |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-domestic-violence-is-the-second-silent-epidemic-amid-lockdown/5ZUPUGT2MBITLISTC4RVGOCK24/ |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 April 2020 |access-date=15 February 2021 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308170221/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-domestic-violence-is-the-second-silent-epidemic-amid-lockdown/5ZUPUGT2MBITLISTC4RVGOCK24/ |url-status=live }} United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a domestic violence "ceasefire".{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061052|title=UN chief calls for domestic violence 'ceasefire' amid 'horrifying global surge'|date=5 April 2020|website=UN News|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410004300/https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061052|url-status=live}}

Elderly care

Older people are particularly affected by COVID-19. They need special attention during the COVID-19 crisis, and their voices, opinions and concerns are important in formulating responses.{{cite web |title=Implications of COVID-19 for Older Persons: Responding to the Pandemic |url=https://www.unfpa.org/resources/implications-covid-19-older-persons-responding-pandemic |website=UNFPA |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605123350/https://www.unfpa.org/resources/implications-covid-19-older-persons-responding-pandemic |url-status=live }}

Global data are extremely uncertain at present, nonetheless, the heightened risks of COVID-19 for older persons are evident in all national data. The scale of testing and nature of reporting vary between governments and hence there is risk of misinformation by generalizing from the experience and reports of a given country.

While the number of older persons is relatively and absolutely smaller in developing countries, particularly in Africa, this coincides with other serious structural risks. Countries with the fewest older persons (such as many of the least developed countries), have the fewest health resources, limited experience caring for older patients (including few geriatric specialists), less institutional care for older persons, and far fewer public or NGO support structures for outreach, screening and community-based care of older persons.

Older persons living in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, are particularly vulnerable to infection and adverse outcomes from COVID-19. Older persons who live alone may face barriers to obtaining accurate information, food, medication, and other essential supplies during quarantine conditions and community outreach is required. Older persons, especially in isolation, those with cognitive decline, and those who are highly care-dependent, need a continuum of practical and emotional support through informal networks (families), health workers, caregivers, and volunteers.

People with disabilities

{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities}}

People with disabilities are at greater risk for contracting and dying from COVID-19. This is especially true for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.{{Cite web|title=Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak|url=https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/WHO-2019-nCoV-Disability-2020-1|access-date=2020-10-08|website=www.who.int|language=en|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204164801/https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/WHO-2019-nCoV-Disability-2020-1|url-status=live}} Data from the United States indicate that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are four times more likely to contract COVID and twice as likely to die from the disease;{{Cite web|title=COVID-19 Infections And Deaths Are Higher Among Those With Intellectual Disabilities|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/09/872401607/covid-19-infections-and-deaths-are-higher-among-those-with-intellectual-disabili|access-date=2020-10-08|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109074759/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/09/872401607/covid-19-infections-and-deaths-are-higher-among-those-with-intellectual-disabili|url-status=live}} this is likely due to the fact that people with disabilities are overrepresented in care facilities where COVID is known to spread more easily. People with disabilities are also more likely to have co-morbidities that put them at higher risk for developing COVID-related complications and may have a more difficult time socially distancing due to their support needs.{{Cite book|url=https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sg_policy_brief_on_persons_with_disabilities_final.pdf|title=Policy Brief: A Disability-Inclusive Response to COVID-19|publisher=United Nations|year=2020|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827193604/https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sg_policy_brief_on_persons_with_disabilities_final.pdf|url-status=live}}

People with disabilities are more likely to experience isolation and other forms of mental distress as a result of the pandemic.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-06|title=How COVID-19 impacts people with disabilities|url=https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/research-disabilities|access-date=2020-10-08|website=American Psychological Association|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028034451/https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/research-disabilities|url-status=live}} Women and children with disabilities are more likely to experience domestic abuse during pandemics.{{Cite book|url=https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/policy-brief-women-with-disabilities-in-a-pandemic-covid-19-en.pdf?la=en&vs=1531|title=Women with Disabilities in a Pandemic (COVID-19)|publisher=UN Women|year=2020|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203163058/https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/policy-brief-women-with-disabilities-in-a-pandemic-covid-19-en.pdf?la=en&vs=1531|url-status=dead}}

School closures have presented children with disabilities with a host of challenges.{{Cite web|title=Child disability and COVID-19|url=https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-disability/covid-19/|access-date=2020-10-08|website=UNICEF DATA|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009180413/https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-disability/covid-19/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Empowering students with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis|url=https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/empowering-students-disabilities-during-covid-19-crisis|access-date=2020-10-08|website=UNESCO Bangkok|language=en|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005135828/https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/empowering-students-disabilities-during-covid-19-crisis|url-status=live}} Many children with disabilities have seen disruptions to critical physical and occupational therapies. Many of the assistive technologies people with disabilities use are not compatible with the platforms schools are using for remote learning.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Faith |title=Special Education Goes Remote in the COVID-19 Pandemic - The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/04/special-education-goes-remote-covid-19-pandemic/610231/ |website=The Atlantic |date=18 April 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009003616/https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/04/special-education-goes-remote-covid-19-pandemic/610231/ |url-status=live }} A large number of children with disabilities also live in poverty and may not have access to the internet and technology required for remote learning. These children may also experience a variety of social and psychological issues as the result of school closures, including food insecurity, anxiety, as well as delays in their development.{{cite journal |last1=Masonbrink |first1=Abbey R. |last2=Hurley |first2=Emily |title=Advocating for Children During the COVID-19 School Closures |journal=Pediatrics |date=September 2020 |volume=146 |issue=3 |pages=e20201440 |doi=10.1542/peds.2020-1440 |pmid=32554517 |doi-access= |s2cid=219906270 |url=https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-pdf/doi/10.1542/peds.2020-1440/1081566/peds_20201440.pdf |access-date=6 February 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308025558/https://watermark.silverchair.com/peds_20201440.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAAyowggMmBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggMXMIIDEwIBADCCAwwGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQM_3z_v11quNY4a2ueAgEQgIIC3SFckeMs0VDiehWa8_jI88-h3immhkB4glQxjUGv0oun09HvnD4D7I-1LxOf7ejjrJKqseaCjF1cDaEhobz30L7vNO48aVzKpoLh6K_6ol3ft0dBVX1xijTMYgPxx2vbBa4bgx6NjBQHrfs9-Aig3YB-MueTTQLNm3Kz3zAXfSxoUIulH8HIW2DDEFo3jkQ0tfjRbmurn0c-hfn08tT6I29_BRT9fJGlDagGt3znfOBkRWWiR1-xqh0Fbew-4zJG7enuuqoaLagMs7s8vhb89Kgyn6VwI86dmhGfOCcBYwRuUO39iLc7yYtayHm8MLMAsL3X8Rl9Liz6Rzq1GetwvNurncoakfZPtG1ADkc_l4JYVmQUqQuS-vH7WUKPsObyIIoYKfDjWvXqM60bjwFRTfFf1P0vtJyNfzqP08eL0IQ_2MltqppBrNyrtYJHG-KbC7StnggsSn3q_LASPXdDKbbJJlWLRSfD_t7vzNXjFXcMJCeZfyGiY4i8snKtqdGPr8r8zWPkYiLwnaF4Zy_tGbPkP9V8q7C23giXWp0-1hig2M31HtRUBCEvL1MSIdPmlk3jETp3lIeF0zyZltXQ92GBqZpUCfz78d4ukfqTxyOh_zfKQM2k4gnd3C336QdpHfugWo8ZGbt1xl5ruunh82Os2CTNPtUWoSZbUqLsaRQ4KaANH-LD_6H1X8gezp2u-0Oai1N_rSEOIsJlVfnb_pjfcQdC0kD3CTYgt7GGa0aK-3B53ZvMGSz_Oc4a2V9Hm6RfnqBnY1oMguXqppA-8k21Tk4bTkyH7Ya3HYCXUvWTcHGhNy9xbJqVgPiBdApI5Bmkslp_Vecuvr1ay3WL-Nkxe9aS7Ix4C_kxaFVbjvyYvi7X8p9SuCvA0QJ2i-dAB3h3GKXOBjmmu4DtfUGX5VjQT8lH_tGkwDpOVAtqwQLXdpmIBNSKUagy5crQGQcRsMAI1VAwZnxcjwpdtt4 |url-status=live }}

==See also==

References

Category:Social impact

Category:Social history

Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:2020 in international relations