COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND HEALTH CHALLENGES TO AFRICA

Abstract

Covid-19 is characterized as pandemic based on vastness of areas to which it has spread within its course. The human to human spread of the virus occurs due to close contact with an infected person, exposure to coughing, sneezing, respiratory droplets or aerosols. These aerosols can penetrate the human body (lungs) via inhalation through the nose or mouth. Within a short time, this virus caused an upheaval and unrest across the globe. This study employs the discursive analysis method to evaluate the social, economic and health challenges the pandemic has posed on Africa generally. The findings reveal that African countries have been affected in different ways by the coronavirus pandemic with unimaginable effects. The pandemic affects socio-cultural interactions and economic, intellectual and religious activities through the imposed social distancing policies that have different levels of strictness in several African countries. The implication of the findings is that social policies can affect the social and economic well-being of citizens. One outstanding social consequence of the covid-19 pandemic for African citizens is the creation of social anxiety among families and communities in the region. The phenomenon has also shown how vulnerable African societies are in facing health hazards. This study recommends that policymakers should enforce social policies that unite communities in hardtimes, to reduce social anxiety. African countries must strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human right.