TY - JOUR
T1 - Digital technologies and covid-19
T2 - Reconsidering lockdown exit strategies for Africa
AU - Chitungo, Itai
AU - Mhango, Malizgani
AU - Mbunge, Elliot
AU - Dzobo, Mathias
AU - Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Itai Chitungo et al.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Widespread vaccination provides a means for countries to lift strict COVID-19 restrictions previously imposed to contain the spread of the disease. However, to date, Africa has secured enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for less than 5% of its population. With widespread vaccination not on the horizon for Africa, there is a strong emphasis on non-pharmaceutical interventions which include movement restrictions (lockdowns). This general COVID-19 pandemic response of imposing lockdowns, however, neglects to factor in non-fatal consequences leading to disruption socio-economic wellbeing of the society at large. The economy in most African countries can no longer sustain lockdown restrictions. Some studies have indicated that a hard lockdown statistical value of the extra lives saved would be dwarfed by its long-term cost. At the same time not responding to the threat of the pandemic will cost lives and disrupts the social fabric. This paper proffers ways to mitigate the both and advocate for better policymaking that addresses specific challenges in defined communities thus yield higher population welfare.
AB - Widespread vaccination provides a means for countries to lift strict COVID-19 restrictions previously imposed to contain the spread of the disease. However, to date, Africa has secured enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for less than 5% of its population. With widespread vaccination not on the horizon for Africa, there is a strong emphasis on non-pharmaceutical interventions which include movement restrictions (lockdowns). This general COVID-19 pandemic response of imposing lockdowns, however, neglects to factor in non-fatal consequences leading to disruption socio-economic wellbeing of the society at large. The economy in most African countries can no longer sustain lockdown restrictions. Some studies have indicated that a hard lockdown statistical value of the extra lives saved would be dwarfed by its long-term cost. At the same time not responding to the threat of the pandemic will cost lives and disrupts the social fabric. This paper proffers ways to mitigate the both and advocate for better policymaking that addresses specific challenges in defined communities thus yield higher population welfare.
KW - Africa
KW - COVID-19
KW - Lockdown
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85112161400&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.93.29773
DO - 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.93.29773
M3 - Article
C2 - 34466195
AN - SCOPUS:85112161400
SN - 1937-8688
VL - 39
JO - Pan African Medical Journal
JF - Pan African Medical Journal
ER -