How Are Lower Incomes of Bangladesh Experiencing COVID-19: Preliminary findings from an ongoing research.
2020.06.24
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The conceptual confusion regarding corona prevention instruction and the reason of incomprehensibility or not understanding the meaning of these concepts by the local people, many complications are arising. It was observed that due to the difficulties of the meaning of ‘social distance’ – an alternative meaning developed by people. An informer named Rahman said,
“Social distance means excluding one from the society. It won’t be reasonable to let one stay in the society who is ill. This disease is a consequence of sins for that reason. No one agrees to participate in Janaja”
At present crisis it is necessary to ensure physical distance along social solidarity. We can observe that the aristocrats are offering supports to the lower income people, seek out to know about their wellbeing and distributing Zakat in monetary form. During Ramadan month, many provided food and cash support to the poor populace, and many landowners pardoned rents of day-laborers for losing job to COVID-19. These examples of social solidarity came into light through information provided by few informants during our research. These examples are ultimately reconstructing the concept of social solidarity in the age of social distance.
Changing the Consumer Behavior Pattern
Till date, no effective medicine or vaccine has not discovered yet. Therefore, public health specialists and health authorities are urging to maintain prevention measures. The Government of Bangladesh is emphasizing and recommending to change everyday practicalities and habit. These suggestions include, consuming nutritious food, following health and hygiene practices, wearing masks, using sanitizer, maintaining social distance, living separately from the infected person, using separate toilets etc. Crucially, however, the income of low-income people in Bangladesh is further reduced due to COVID-19. To prevent the spread of coronavirus infection during lockdown from 26 March to 31 May, nearly 3.6 crore people lost their jobs in 66 days (Barakat, 2020) .
Along with other heath precautions it is widely suggested to eat nutritious foods (i.e. milk, vegetables, eggs, fruits, fish or meat) to boost immune system. Even in normal situations when the wheels of the economy are in motion, people with low income cannot afford to consume these foods. In addition, during general holiday or especial confinement, day-laborers have to spend their time in unemployment. It is important to consider if it is viable to suggest add nutritious food into the diet of those who are dependent upon relief due to unemployment. The instruction that were given since the announcement of general holiday from March 26th are not compatible with the realities of the lower incomes.