Inequality rising due to virus

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) kills thousands and drags the global economy into a recession, it is also highlighting inequalities between and within countries. The pandemic is exacerbating inequities in terms of exposure and vulnerability to the virus, access to health care, and the ability to cope with a major economic shock. In general, developed countries are better equipped to manage the pandemic, but COVID-19 has nonetheless reinforced inequalities within them. In Europe and the

US, the less affluent often have a reduced ability to work from home and practice social distancing. Many essential workers — including custodial staff, grocery clerks, delivery workers, and some health care workers — are dependent on hourly wages, must work and, therefore, are more exposed to the virus. Many self-employed and gig economy workers lack paid sick leave.

Meanwhile, the current and potential impacts of COVID-19 in less developed countries highlight the inequality between wealthier and poorer nations, as well as inequalities within less developed countries. Latin America is arguably the most unequal region in the world; many people there live in overcrowded conditions, sometimes lack sufficient access to handwashing facilities, and are vulnerable to the virus’s spread. In Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia, many people work in the informal economy, with no protections if they are sick or told to stay at home. Many cannot afford access to health care. Around the world, there are specific groups that have long suffered from inequalities, which are now increased. Economic migrants often work in essential jobs or must continue working, given economic realities, and thus are more exposed to the virus. In some countries, migrant workers are now isolating in crowded conditions with little to no income, but cannot return home due to travel restrictions.

The pandemic is especially threatening to refugees and internally displaced people around the world. They often live in extremely crowded conditions, already suffer from poor health and have limited access to handwashing facilities, health care, safe shelter, and economic assistance.

As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently noted, the virus threatens to roll back “even the limited gains” made in addressing gender inequities. While men appear to be physically more vulnerable to the virus, the pandemic’s socioeconomic effects take a greater toll on women and girls.

It is unclear what role the pandemic will play in global inequalities in the long term. It might lead to a greater appreciation for essential workers and increased government protections and services directed toward the groups that are particularly vulnerable to disease and economic shocks. There are historical precedents; the Black Death, for example, played a major role in empowering laborers, though that plague and the economy at the time were very different from COVID-19 and today’s economy. However, it is just as likely — if not more so — that the pandemic might deepen inequities, which could lead to greater social, political and economic instability in its aftermath.

Kerry Boyd Anderson is a writer and political risk consultant with more than 16 years’ experience.

Twitter: @KBAresearch

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