Sustainability in Covid-19 Times: A Human Development Perspective
01 Jan 2021-pp 1-34
TL;DR: The COVID-19 pandemic can be divided into two waves: the first is associated with health problems, and the second with economic and environmental problems as mentioned in this paper, and it is necessary to analyze the existence of a third wave that, in the long run, can have a deeper impact on people's lives.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic can be divided into two waves: the first is associated with health problems, and the second with economic and environmental problems. However, it is necessary to analyze the existence of a third wave that, in the long run, can have a deeper impact on people's lives. This wave emerged from the virus capacity to accentuate social, economic, political, and cultural inequalities. In this sense, the novel coronavirus has profoundly affected efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in the 2030 Agenda, especially with regard to SDG 3, SDG 10, SDG 12 and SDG 16. In that spectrum, this chapter aims to demonstrate how the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic affect compliance with the SDGs. The impact of this pandemic had been such that it is possible that it will mean the beginning of a new era, based on the need for global solidarity and the desire to pursue sustainable development paths. The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to propose new actions for a more sustainable world, drafting a recovery from economic and social crises that finds comprehensive solutions.
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Posted Content•
TL;DR: The Lancet COVID-19 Commission was launched on July 9, 2020, to assist governments, civil society, and UN institutions in responding effectively to the CO VID-19 pandemic and a key aim of the Commission is to accelerate their adoption worldwide.
Abstract: The Lancet COVID-19 Commission was launched on July 9, 2020, to assist governments, civil society, and UN institutions in responding effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission aims to offer practical solutions to the four main global challenges posed by the pandemic: suppressing the pandemic by means of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions; overcoming humanitarian emergencies, including poverty, hunger, and mental distress, caused by the pandemic; restructuring public and private finances in the wake of the pandemic; and rebuilding the world economy in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable way that is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. Many creative solutions are already being implemented, and a key aim of the Commission is to accelerate their adoption worldwide.
19 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A civil society-led multi-stakeholder process is called for to further conceptualize, and then launch, an R2HCF, helping create a world where, whether during a health emergency or in ordinary times, no one is left behind.
Abstract: Abstract We propose that a Right to Health Capacity Fund (R2HCF) be created as a central institution of a reimagined global health architecture developed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a fund would help ensure the strong health systems required to prevent disease outbreaks from becoming devastating global pandemics, while ensuring genuinely universal health coverage that would encompass even the most marginalized populations. The R2HCF’s mission would be to promote inclusive participation, equality, and accountability for advancing the right to health. The fund would focus its resources on civil society organizations, supporting their advocacy and strengthening mechanisms for accountability and participation. We propose an initial annual target of US$500 million for the fund, adjusted based on needs assessments. Such a financing level would be both achievable and transformative, given the limited right to health funding presently and the demonstrated potential of right to health initiatives to strengthen health systems and meet the health needs of marginalized populations—and enable these populations to be treated with dignity. We call for a civil society-led multi-stakeholder process to further conceptualize, and then launch, an R2HCF, helping create a world where, whether during a health emergency or in ordinary times, no one is left behind.
6 citations
TL;DR: Sustainable healthcare, including the aggregate measuring and reduction of food waste in hospital food services, is an essential transition post‐pandemic, and may be facilitated through the operational changes forced by COVID‐19.
Abstract: Abstract Aims Hospital food service operations have been affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic, particularly resulting in increased waste. The aim of this research was to explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on hospital food services, particularly on food waste and the completion of food waste audits. Methods A qualitative interview research design was used. Semi‐structured interviews were completed and recorded via Zoom, focusing on the barriers and enablers towards the completion of hospital food waste audits. Twenty‐one participants were interviewed from 12 hospitals. No questions were related to the COVID‐19 pandemic and its impact on hospital food services, however this issue frequently emerged during interviews. Data were coded following inductive thematic analysis. Results Five themes were generated from the interviews related to COVID‐19 and hospital food services; impacts on practice, labour, change, technology and post‐pandemic expectations. Participants reported COVID‐19 negatively affected food service operations. Changes included increased food waste, contact restrictions, and labour shortages. Nonetheless, hospitals embraced the challenge and created new positions, trialled different food waste data collection methods, and utilised technology to support food service operations around COVID‐19 restrictions. Conclusions Despite the impact COVID‐19 had on hospital food services, including their ability to audit food waste and increased food waste generation, the response from food services has demonstrated their adaptability to change. Sustainable healthcare, including the aggregate measuring and reduction of food waste in hospital food services, is an essential transition post‐pandemic, and may be facilitated through the operational changes forced by COVID‐19.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors explored the government policies implemented in West Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic and their impact on PwDs in line with the SDGs with disability targets.
Abstract: Abstract People with Disabilities (PwDs) suffer and are susceptible to social inequalities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. In West Africa, these are influenced by how services geared towards PwDs are administered. This study explores the government policies implemented in West Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic and their impact on PwDs in line with the SDGs with disability targets. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyze eighty-one (81) documents, including legislation, reports and official documents that communicated measures taken in response to Covid-19 and SDGs with disability targets. The study found that various governments outlined pragmatic steps to address the needs of PwDs. It was unraveled that the policies and recommendations that the governments have published on disability inclusiveness in response to Covid-19 did not reflected in the lives PwDs. This is evident based on the difficulty PwDs have to go through to access all the available benefits. It takes a while to see such policies and recommendations reflected in the lives of PwDs. Measuring the expected improvements in the lives of PwDs relative to the SGD’s attainment can not happen overnight. This study is the first of its kind in West Africa and urges various governments to pay close attention to their policies to improve their policies toward PwDs. The study recognizes governments’ vital role in ensuring that PwDs are better off, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the government needs to provide adequate education on how PwDs will readily access policies to better their lives.
1 citations
References
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New York University1, University of Chicago2, Mackenzie Presbyterian University3, Middlesex University4, University of Kent5, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń6, Harvard University7, Yale University8, Stanford University9, Northwestern University10, University of Sussex11, Utrecht University12, University of California, San Diego13, University of Maryland, College Park14, McGovern Institute for Brain Research15, University of Queensland16, University of Michigan17, California Institute of Technology18, Lehigh University19, University of Regina20, University of Oregon21, Ohio State University22, Massachusetts Institute of Technology23, University of St Andrews24, University of Cambridge25, University of British Columbia26, University of Illinois at Chicago27, University of California, Berkeley28, Carleton University29, VU University Amsterdam30, Cornell University31
TL;DR: Evidence from a selection of research topics relevant to pandemics is discussed, including work on navigating threats, social and cultural influences on behaviour, science communication, moral decision-making, leadership, and stress and coping.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a massive global health crisis. Because the crisis requires large-scale behaviour change and places significant psychological burdens on individuals, insights from the social and behavioural sciences can be used to help align human behaviour with the recommendations of epidemiologists and public health experts. Here we discuss evidence from a selection of research topics relevant to pandemics, including work on navigating threats, social and cultural influences on behaviour, science communication, moral decision-making, leadership, and stress and coping. In each section, we note the nature and quality of prior research, including uncertainty and unsettled issues. We identify several insights for effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight important gaps researchers should move quickly to fill in the coming weeks and months.
3,223 citations
TL;DR: If routine health care is disrupted and access to food is decreased (as a result of unavoidable shocks, health system collapse, or intentional choices made in responding to the pandemic), the increase in child and maternal deaths will be devastating.
899 citations
TL;DR: Environmental data released by NASA and ESA before and after the coronavirus pandemic is compiled and its impact on environmental quality is discussed.
768 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: The spread of the virus encouraged social distancing which led to the shutdown of financial markets, corporate offices, businesses and events and the exponential rate at which the virus was spreading, and the heightened uncertainty about how bad the situation could get, led to flight to safety in consumption and investment among consumers, investors and international trade partners as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: How did a health crisis translate to an economic crisis? Why did the spread of the coronavirus bring the global economy to its knees? The answer lies in two methods by which coronavirus stifled economic activities. First, the spread of the virus encouraged social distancing which led to the shutdown of financial markets, corporate offices, businesses and events. Second, the exponential rate at which the virus was spreading, and the heightened uncertainty about how bad the situation could get, led to flight to safety in consumption and investment among consumers, investors and international trade partners.
679 citations