Effects of the pandemic on the marginalized communities

Marginalized communities refers to the vulnerable group of people who belong to low socio-economic status, differently-abled individuals, scheduled castes and tribes, people of color, women, children, elder population etc. The pandemic has hit all the people equally. The problem arises on the basis of resources, employment, availability of food and shelter and medical facilities. Poor people have been the worse-hit. Many people lost their jobs due to nation wide lockdowns and shutting of factories and businesses. Shutting down of schools and educational institutes have resulted in a nationwide in-equity to education. Weak economic status people cannot afford mobile phones, tablets, laptops, wi-fi or internet packs. Students are unable to take online classes. A big proportion of students have dropped out from schools. As house-helps were not allowed in many apartments and societies due to lockdown, elderly people faced many problems in getting the groceries and house-hold chores. 

Home isolation and unemployment resulted in a sudden rise of domestic and sexual violence cases among women. Even homes are unsafe when victims are forced to live with their abusers. Women are often subjected to disparities when they are working from home and simultaneously taking care of the home as well as their children. Mental and physical health is neglected specially during a pandemic when the fear is high and their is a hesitation to visit the hospital.

Inaccessibility, unaffordability, unavailability of healthcare facilities coupled with corruption led to many lost lives which could have been saved. People with disadvantage always suffer more.

REFERNCES

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7205696/

One virus has brought the whole world to a standstill. Despite all the technology we have, finding a cure and a vaccine is proving to be tough. More than 16 million people across the world have contracted the virus, and there is no end in sight. Many people have been affected in various ways, some more than others. People have lost their lives, their livelihood and their loved ones.

Stress, grief, anxiety are common occurrences now, along with depression. People struggle to make it through the day. People cannot even buy essentials in the states that have strict lockdowns; food and amenities are scarce. In Tamil Nadu, especially in rural areas, this has brought on a reality where people have to make do without food. Farmers, daily wage workers are facing poverty; many cannot even afford to buy a packet of milk for their babies. Though many lives have been lost due to the disease, many have died due to starvation and suicide too.

Prescription pills cannot be purchased; people are unable to go to hospitals for emergencies and regular treatments. Pregnant women need their regular check-ups and scans during this time for their own health and their child’s, but right now, they have no access to transport to visit hospitals. Some full term-pregnant women have lost their lives due to either lack of access to healthcare or refusal of admission in hospitals. Many people can’t afford to visit hospitals due to lack of money.

Older people at a higher risk of contracting the disease, even in this situation, are forced to step out to buy their medications and essentials by themselves.

There are a lot of people who migrate to different states to find work due to the lack of employment in their own villages. The husband usually leaves the wife and children at home and migrates to find work. Sometimes, entire families travel together. At this stage, however, all forms of transport have been affected, and many migrant workers struggled to get back home and find food and money. A lot of them have also died trying to reach their villages.

The impact of this pandemic has been severe. Although a lot of states are opening up, we have to take precautions, and the government needs to assess the healthcare system in India closely and make drastic improvements to the welfare and recovery plans to help marginalized people survive these difficult times. As citizens, we should help each other out through these tough times, and follow the rules and regulations that have been set for our own safety and the safety of others around us.

references:

//www.youthkiawaaz.com/2020/08/covid-19-and-the-lockdowns-devastating-impact-on-marginalized-communities/

During the shutdown in India, some marginalized groups are overlooked. The choking of economic activity caused by the extended national lockdown now faces greater difficulties and financial difficulties. The closure currently has had a massive impact on disadvantaged communities due to employment losses, food shortage, housing, health and other needs. The government has the obligation to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals, yet some of these actions have rendered hundreds of thousands of migrant workers out of employment homeless and have closed railways and bus routes. 

The coronavirus pandemic has made life difficult for the poorest population in the world as the economic crisis triggered by it has led to a sharp rise in income inequality. The report, titled ‘The Inequality Virus’, indicated how the pandemic made the rich even richer, while the poor population suffered.

The report indicated that the top billionaires in India became richer by 35 per cent during the pandemic, while millions of poor Indians lost their jobs.

For instance, Mukesh Ambani made roughly Rs 90 crore per hour since March when the lockdown started. In contrast, 24 per cent of people in the country were earring just Rs 3,000 per month. Furthermore, an unskilled worker from the informal sector would have taken 10,000 years to make what Ambani earned during the pandemic, the report added.

Not just Mukesh Ambani but the fortunes of many other Indian billionaires rose exorbitantly during the pandemic.(1)

“The wealth of Indian billionaires increased by 35 per cent during the lockdown and by 90 per cent since 2009 to $422.9 billion ranking India sixth in the world after the US, China, Germany, Russia and France,” the Oxfam report said.

Since March, when the government announced the strictest lockdown in the world, billionaires in India saw their fortunes swell by more than Rs 12 lakh crore.

The evidence from the study shows that, on average, 15.3 percent of people interviewed saw one or more adults in their household going without eating for a whole day because of lack of resources, and this was higher in households who were affected by jobs and income losses. This resonates with global estimates suggesting that between 119 and 124 million people were pushed into poverty in 2020, reverting years of hard-earned gains.
 As a result, job losses translated into income losses for two-thirds of households on average – more severe for households with women, young and less-educated workers  – and deprived many of even the most basic needs.(2)

REFERENCES 

1) //www.indiatoday.in/business/story/explained-how-covid-19-has-made-life-difficult-for-the-poor-indians-1762531-2021-01-25

2) //blogs.worldbank.org/voices/developing-countries-covid-19-crisis-has-not-affected-everyone-equally

The Social Revolution of the 1970's coined the word 'marginalized' to describe those who live on the fringes of the mainstream. COVID-19 has had a rampage on the people and its impact has fallen most heavily on already suffering marginalized communities. 

• Due to poor medical facilities during the pandemic in prison, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has urged the release of peaceful protesters and activists like Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal. Being locked up without a conviction, illiteracy, poverty, corruption and backlog of court cases has languished the prisoners for a long time in prison, leading to overcrowding and high occupancy rates in Indian prison. 

The contagion created by the constant flow of outsiders and prison staff led to ripple effect of heightened risk of infection to the prisoners.

The Supreme Court's order to the states, allowing them to make their own decisions to reduce the overcrowding in prison, release on parole and to introduce video conferencing with family members, has not mitigated the crisis.

• The Janata Curfew followed by national lockdown in India had drastic impact on unorganized sector, the migrants, creating a mass exodus on millions who returned to their hometown, hundreds of miles away, on cycles and by walk, resulting in the death due to hunger.
• Measures taken to control the drastic effect of the pandemic on LGBTQ+ community in Canada had adversely affected their mental and social health. June, the LQBTQ+ Pride Month celebration, was postponed for some and held online for the rest. The aged members of the community, with social distancing and isolation, faced mental health problems like suicidal ideation.

Thus, COVID-19 has exposed the inequality of the social support system worldwide, revealing the gaps that further marginalize the marginalized.

pandemic has already caused us more some have lost their loved once, most of the youth population have underwent depression . This pandemic literally broke us emotionally ,mentally ,physically . The marginalized community that is the LGBTQ[Lesbian ,Gay ,Bisexual ,Transgender ,Queer] have always been VICTIMIZED by their parents ,peers ,colleagues  etc..,this pandemic have made the situation even worse , assaults have been increased on this community .They have always been lived under the shadows of the society[the non LGBTQ community]they even lost their jobs for whom they are ! so it is extremely important to take immediate actions , it may be small for us but it means a lot to them .                        "IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO DISCRIMITATES , NOT THE VIRUS!!! "

The Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated long-standing structural inequalities in terms of access to healthcare facilities, goods, and services. It has showcased inequalities in access to decent work and experiences of discrimination resulting in many of the vulnerable populations(e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and women) experiencing a much harsher impact on economic and work-related factors.

The World Health Organization has noted that the threat and experience of Covid-19 occurs differently for different groups. Marginalized and stigmatized groups have greater vulnerabilities and a disregard of this factor subjects them to a higher risk of infection and undermines the broader Covid-19 response. Persons belonging to racial, ethnic, and religious groups are among the main groups at risk, due to their lower socioeconomic status and entrenched exclusion and discrimination, making them particularly vulnerable to higher rates of infection and mortality and to unequal access to adequate medical care.

• Minority groups have been disproportionately affected by chronic medical conditions and lower access to healthcare.
• Social distancing may be particularly difficult for those who have been rejected by their families. There has been an increase in mental health difficulties among young LGBTQ+ people who have been closeted, or who are out and forced to quarantine with often unaccepting or abusive family members. This has lead to an increase in domestic violence experienced by the LGBTQ+ community.
• During the Covid-19 crisis, people of African descent are reportedly being unjustly controlled, harassed, and profiled by law enforcement authorities. They are disproportionately represented in detention and prison populations, and therefore exposed to greater risk of infection. Thus, this raises questions of racial discrimination and racial justice.
• Many children and youth, particularly those belonging to marginalized racial or ethnic groups, do not have equal access to remote learning tools, the internet, or adequate parental support. These challenges are likely to further setback the education of these children and deepen existing racial inequalities.
• In many countries, people belonging to racial groups and communities, as well as migrants are overrepresented in occupations that are more exposed to the risk of contamination of the virus.
• The current pandemic is exacerbating discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance directed against religious groups, which often compounds discrimination on racial or ethnic grounds. An upsurge in incitement to hatred and scapegoating of religious or belief communities for the spread of the virus has been reported. There are also reports that derogatory language and the propagation of conspiracy theories have increased by up to 30% on major social media platforms since the start of the pandemic.

Thus, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed and magnified racial discrimination and inequalities against the marginalized communities on a wide scale. While the focus in the midst of the pandemic crisis has been on the right to health and access to health services, other key issues including human rights, inequality and development must also be front and center particularly in the recovery period ahead.

Impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great devastation in the lives of those who already experience discrimination and limited access to opportunities. People belonging to low-income backgrounds, racial and ethnic minority groups, linguistic and physical ability, gender group, sexual orientation, age, and/or are refugees have represented disproportion among the most affected by COVID-19. Lack of decent work, low-wage or precarious positions, structural, economic and work-related barriers has lead to increased discrimination. Furthermore, managing and continuation of unpaid work, added stress and role conflict for women including care taking responsibilities, have added to an extra load.

Many essential workers are experiencing job related stress, dilemma and anxiety going to work, resulting them either staying home or quitting their jobs prioritizing health. Also, lack of access to basic needs and healthcare further perpetuates the inequity among marginalized groups.The short-term and long-term consequences of the pandemic has caused a world-wide crisis. Moreover, it has put an additional stress on working women who shoulder a higher burden of engaging in child caring and household responsibilities compared to men, holding the potential to enhance multiple role conflict for them at work.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on underlying disparities which the vulnerable communities are facing. The conditions under which they work, live and eat are producing a challenging crisis like situation ahead alongside the racial implications of their work. Beyond disparities in health management, the impacts of the pandemic extend to adversely effect on individual livelihoods, interpersonal relationships, household incomes, food storage and security, coping skills, and other factors.

Resources:

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7205696/

//www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/health-equity/impact-covid-19-minoritized-and-marginalized-communities

//journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Citation/2021/06000/The_Impact_of_COVID_19_on_Marginalized_Communities.23.aspx

@chandrima-chatterjee nice article

Impact of COVID 19 on marginalized communities: an insight on underserved people with disabilities during Covid 19 (India)

Since the onset of Covid-19, the normalcy on a global level has shifted with the maximum impact on the marginalized communities. 

A report published on July 1st, 2021 on the Indian community of disabled individuals states the predicament to a herculean extent on them. The steep differentials between regions, sex, and disadvantaged populations including Persons with disabilities can be further detrimental to their wellbeing if not recognized and managed in a timely manner.(2)

According to a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 403 respondents from 14 states on Persons with Disability, they had difficulty in accessing routine and emergency medical care due to travel restrictions during the lockdown, failed to receive rehabilitation services, and reported a declining state of mental health; to name a few. (Public Health Foundation of India 2021)

In late March, the government introduced the Comprehensive Disability Inclusive Guidelines for Protection and Safety of Persons With Disabilities (Divyangjan) during COVID-19 instructing state governments to:

• ensure information accessibility,
• exempt caregivers from lockdown restrictions,
• exempt employees with certain disabilities from essential services-related work,
• provide essential services to quarantined persons with disabilities,
• give priority in treatment to persons with disabilities,
• train emergency service providers on the needs of persons with disabilities, amongst other measures.

However, the discretionary nature of these guidelines has meant that their implementation has been inadequate. (NULL 2020)

Therefore, it is of paramount importance to pay heed and exercise these strategies for their optimum care during this social and economic crisis.

References:

1.NULL. 2020. “People with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India.” Observational Research Foundation. November 28, 2020. //www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/people-disabilities-covid19-pandemic-india/ .

2.Public Health Foundation of India. 2021. “Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities in India.” Hindustan Times, July 1, 2021. //www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/public-health/impact-of-covid-19-on-persons-with-disabilities-in-india-101625105679386.html .

COVID 19 has made the life of everyone very difficult. Especially people with low economic status are finding it difficult to get access to healthcare, many people have lost their jobs and social restrictions to curb COVID also puts more pressure on people to go to jobs. Not only the marginalized but also people from different socioeconomic statuses are suffering. The care for people who needs special attention is also in trouble. I strongly believe that the proper usage of telehealth technologies could help marginalized people in getting timely healthcare. The govt should implement new policies to help such people.  

COVID-19 & MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY 
Even before the COVID times, there were many communities suffering from poverty.Most of them were the daily wage workers, who work hard everyday to have their meals,especially in India.Due to lockdown, all the shops were closed and it led to unemployment which made even more worse for them. Even we could say that they suffered for food and many were dependent on the people who donate food for the needy for completing their meals.Many didn’t get the opportunity to even get those food which resulted in death due to hunger.Many went into the phase of depression due to mental stress caused because of COVID19 and it’s fear. The lockdown and other protocols were imposed, to protect us from the infection which led to death, but many died because of hunger and depression during COVID-19.

In any kind of emergency condition vulnerabilities of marginalized people increases.In accordance to the inability of them to access surveillance alarming systems and healthcare services. This current situation of Covid 19 pandemic has proved to be dreadful for many of the sectors like those with-

-temporary sources of income.

-living in containment zones

-less accessibility or no accessibility to technologies, opportunities and vacancies.

Such a population can be helped by giving prioritized assistance. Educate and motivate them to indulge in the decision-making process for risk reduction, recovery, response and preparedness. 

//asiapacific.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20office%20eseasia/docs/publications/2020/03/ap-covid-19_community-engagement_130320.pdf

On March 24, 2020, the government announced a three-week nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID 19 in India but this sudden lockdown had posed significant risks to particular communities and individuals, including indigenous communities, migrant workers, refugees, transgender individuals, and the homeless population and they are  overwhelmed by deprivation, inequality, unemployment, and infections, both communicable and non-communicable, which make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its negative consequences. Despite all the technology the person have still people were affected in various ways, some more than others.Farmers, daily wage workers had faced lots of  poverty; many cannot even afford to buy a packet of milk for their babies and Though many lives were lost due to the sudden COVID19  outbreak, but many died due to starvation and suicide too. and due to imposed lockdown people were  unable to go to hospitals for emergencies and regular treatments and  Pregnant women who  need  regular check-ups and scans during this time suffered a lot and even Some full term-pregnant women have lost their lives due to either lack of access to healthcare facilities or refusal of admission in hospitals. all forms of transport have been affected, and due to closure of factories  many daily wages migrant workers  decided to o back to home as they struggled to find food and money. but due to lack of transport facilities they opt to reach their through their feet and as a result  many died some of them  were lying helpless on the roads and streets, screaming for help and instead they were prosecuted for breaching the protocols. Lockdown did impact the economy in the worst way and people became unemployed as many factories were shut down and  people were begging for food, shelter and most of all for medical aids and supplies.Being quarantined in homes impose greater psychological burden in children  as School closure, lack of outdoor activity, aberrant dietary and sleeping habits disrupt their usual lifestyle  and Incidences of domestic violence, child abuse, adulterated online contents had rise and The children from marginalized communities are particularly susceptible to the infection and suffer from extended ill-consequences of this pandemic, such as child labor, child trafficking, child marriage, sexual exploitation and death etc.

References

Ghosh R, Dubey MJ, Chatterjee S, Dubey S. Impact of COVID -19 on children: special focus on the psychosocial aspect. Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Jun;72(3):226-235. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05887-9. PMID: 32613821.