Every segment of the population has been impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19. But it has been especially destructive to members of the social groups who are in powerless situations. The outbreak further proceeds to influence populations – indigenous people, the youth, people with disabilities, older people, and those living in poverty are some of them. According to early evidence, poor people are disproportionately tolerating the economic and health impacts of coronavirus. The aftermath of the pandemic is attacking displaced people, migrants, or refugees with the lack of access to running water.
1. Sports for Peace and Development
Sports majorly contribute to the social and economic development of countries around the world. The 2030 Agenda’s Political Declaration reflects on what sports offer:
- To make the authorization of young people and women,
- As well as its contribution to objectives of:
- Social inclusion,
- Education, health,
- Communities and
- Individuals.
The Political Declaration and other governments recognize the role of sports.
The Coronavirus pandemic, since its onset of it, has conquered countries over the globe. In order to cut down on the spread of this deadly virus, lockdowns of overall social life, schools, and businesses, and taking physical and social distancing measures have become commonplace.
The spread of the COVID-19 virus has also hampered multiple aspects of everyday lives, for instance, physical activity and sport. The challenge posed by COVID-19 to both the well-being of people through physical activity and to the world of sports. The difficulties faced by the vulnerable and marginalized groups are highlighted by the policy brief.
Moreover, it offers suggestions for stakeholders and the Government, not with the exception of the system of the UN, in order to reinforce physical activity beyond and during the pandemic, as well as to assist in the safe renewal of sporting events.
In order to protect the health of everyone involved, including the athletes, from;
- Football tournaments to marathons,
- From basketball games to athletic championships,
- Handball to weightlifting,
- Skiing,
- Sailing,
- Cricket,
- Rugby,
- Ice hockey to wrestling.
and more – most of the major events of sports at national, regional, and international levels have been postponed or canceled. For the first time in modern games’ history, the Paralympics and Olympics have been delayed. Perhaps a DANF Olympic Games 3X4 Ft Flag will cheer you up nonetheless.
2. Indigenous People
The excessive vulnerability of the indigenous people is responsible for the following factors:
- Under-staffed and under-equipped medical facilities in the locality, if any
- Lack of healthcare that is appropriate to their culture
- Absence of the ability to access necessary services
- The substantially higher rates of non-communicable and communicable diseases.
The initial point of prevention of the above can come from the distribution of data in indigenous languages. When indigenous people start circulating their language, it will make sure that the facilities and services are reached to these people, and are appropriate to their certain conditions.
There is a huge number of indigenous people who belong to the outskirts of the protection system by society. They further add to vulnerability, especially when they are relying on the broader economy income, for instance, employment in urban areas, produce, handicrafts and tourism. Regarding this, the Government must make it certain that they include other vulnerable groups and indigenous people in the measures of provisional financial support.
These people are additionally seeking their individual and separate solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are taking a stand by using preventive measures as well as traditional practices and knowledge in their indigenous languages.
3. Families
Dr. Anis Ben Brikis, an LSE alumnus, is an acknowledged and distinguished professional in Sustainable Development and Social Policy, and is presently an Associate Professor in Qatar at the Public Policy’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
An international research study regarding the influence of the Coronavirus pandemic on families across diverse cultures explores the impact and effects of the virus on family lives. When this study was conducted by Dr. Anis Ben Brik, the participants included people from forty countries – twenty-one researchers across five continents. The work received a prominent contribution from eighteen partners. Upon sharing the priority and vision for work of the home and life in general with other participants, UNDESA also took part in the project.
4. Youth
The youth is called on by many governments, in order to embrace the endeavor to shield the overall population along with themselves. On top of that, the youth is in a position to assist in significantly increasing campaigns of social awareness of public health among various communities and to aid the people who are most affected by the pandemic. Therefore, the youth is vital
To limit the impact of the virus on the economy,
- Society, and
- Public health at large.
- They can also limit the spread of the virus.
When it comes to employment, however, the youth, unfortunately, is unreasonably unemployed. Among them, the ones who are employed usually have a job at a big company or the informal economy. They are either in the economy’s service sectors or on insecure contracts which have a great chance of being dangerously influenced by the pandemic.
When the universities and schools were closed across multiple jurisdictions, over a billion youths have been prevented from physically attending schools.
- The national and local governments,
- School administrations, and
- Teachers
are putting in a lot of effort to the best of their ability in order to cope with the unparalleled circumstances. Regardless of these efforts, and although people should recognize them, the disturbance and disarrangement in learning and education can have long-term and medium reverberations on the quality of education among today's youth.
A lot of endangered youth, for instance, homeless or migrant youth find themselves in hazardous situations. The Government tends to not pay particular attention to and easily overlook people like them, for they have hitherto been in such a condition – lacking the essential requirements on their well-being, employment, education, and health.
5. People with Disabilities
Even before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, people who have disabilities have been facing challenges for the following reasons, in terms of healthcare service access:
- Discrimination
- Stigma
- Affordability
- Accessibility
- Lack of availability
Moreover, differently-abled people suffer from other issues along with the risk of getting infected by the virus, that warrants certain actions:
- They are more likely to disproportionately live in the settings of institutionalization.
- They are trapped in a world where more often than not there is limited accessibility for them.
- Their living conditions face difficulties with barriers to services and goods.
- They suffer exclusion from mainstream health provision and information reading health issues.
- Pre-existing health conditions in a differently-abled person will put them at risk of dying or developing a serious illness.
- They frequently experience disruption of support and services.
People with disabilities can be affected by the preventive measures and general individual self-care against the outbreak of COVID-19. For example, some differently-abled people in order to keep the deadly virus at bay may have to struggle more than others to implement safety measures, such as frequent cleaning of homes and surfaces, and personal hygiene. Interrupted services, environmental barriers or physical impairments have it challenging to frequently wash hands or clean homes. While, some people may have trouble isolating themselves or practicing social distancing as thoroughly as you and I, for they need regular support and assistance for daily self-care tasks from other people.
Therefore, it is important to make data on COVID-19 accessible and available in proper formats to differently-abled people. We must make sure that these people can people with cognitive, sensory, and mobility impairments can physically avail healthcare buildings. Society should not prevent differently-abled people from using healthcare services for any kind of financial deficiency in times of emergency.
6. Older People
Older people, especially ones who suffer from chronic health issues for instance diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension are more susceptible to the risk of coronavirus infection.
Not only are older people wrestling with greater risks to health but also, they have a higher chance of being incapable in isolation to support themselves. We know that it is vital to practice social distancing as well as to keep COVID-19 essentials like masks and sanitizers handy in order to control the expansion of the disease. But if we do not correctly implement it, these measures have the potential of giving rise to the excessive social isolation of old people in times they need support from loved ones the most.
In this context, the key is medical services and care, access to COVID-19 information, upholding the right to health, combating discrimination against people of any race, age, color, origin, and solidarity between generations.
#Disclaimer
We wrote this article only for informational purposes. Several online and offline sources were used to research this topic. This article does not mention any products that prevent, treat, or cure disease. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before using these products if you are pregnant or taking any medications.
