Activity: Exploring the Social Sciences

Name: Cortez, Angeline Mae T.

Section: HUMSS 11-4

I. Discipline: Sociology

II. Concern/Issue/Problem: COVID-19 PANDEMIC

III. Explanation (research):

As COVID-19 swept the world in 2020, the Philippines became Southeast Asia’s most

affected country. The Philippines had one of the highest recorded numbers of confirmed Covid-

19 cases in Southeast Asia, with 400,000 cases as of mid-November. The Duterte

administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been led by former military officers,

using police supported by the military, which has resulted in serious human rights abuses.

Since March 16, the government has imposed varying types of quarantines and lockdowns

to contain the spread of the virus. Abuses reported include local officials putting curfew

violators in dog cages or exposing them to hours sitting in the summer sun as a form of

punishment. Two children who were arrested after curfew were put inside a coffin by local

officials. In April, three LGBT people were accosted by authorities for violating curfew. Officials

humiliated them by forcing them to dance and kiss each other in public. Many people arrested

for violating Covid-19 regulations were thrown into overcrowded detention facilities where

social distancing is impossible, increasing their risk of contracting the virus.

The social and economic costs of the pandemic are extensive, ranging from school

closings to decimated industries and millions of lost jobs. Among other things, Covid-19 poses a

threat to the advancement of global poverty alleviation and clean energy initiatives.
 The C-19 law that President Duterte signed on March 24 ,2020 criminalizes the spreading

of “false information” with up to two months in prison and a 1 million peso (US$19,600) fine.

This law has been used to censor free speech in cases filed against social media users, among

them journalists, who criticized or even poked fun at the government’s response.

Reports of domestic violence have risen during lockdown restrictions. Groups such as

UNICEF and Save the Children have raised alarm about the impact the pandemic and lockdown

have on the welfare of children, particularly concerning child sexual and physical abuse.

Pandemics have different origins and triggers. Growing urban populations and higher

levels of connectivity present huge challenges in containing and responding to the potential

spread of a disease. At the same time, pandemic response needs to account for the diverse

make-up of our society.

Governments and international bodies plan extensively for pandemics. But what can we

learn from the COVID-19 response about how we can plan in a more inclusive way,

understanding the needs of citizens and of society’s most vulnerable?

IV. Major contributions (Resolution):

Dr Elisa Pieri, Lecturer in Sociology at The University of Manchester’s School of Social Sciences,

is an expert in pandemic preparedness.

“A situation of crisis exacerbates existing inequalities and creates new vulnerable groups,” says

Dr Pieri. “You can’t plan for a lockdown situation based on a ‘typical’ 2.4 family. You have to

account for vulnerable people, such as the homeless, the socially isolated and other marginalised

groups, and ensure that they are accounted for.”

During the UK lockdown, Dr Pieri has spoken to the media about the social implications of these

unprecedented measures, and assisted the UK Cabinet with their enquiries about the social effects of

lockdown. As an expert on pandemics, she has also been the reviewer of several research project

proposals on COVID-19 for the Swiss National Science Foundation.

"Pandemics generate a wide range of pressing ethical and social issues," says Dr Pieri. "They are

difficult to resolve and impact different groups in society unevenly. We must address this, also in our
pre-pandemic planning, striving towards inclusive decision-making and debate, and finding

equitable solutions/"

Dr Pieri highlights the importance of prioritising the vulnerable, including at the end of the

lockdown period.

“We need to think strategically about who we prioritise in coming out of lockdown,” she says.

“Although the current restrictions are frustrating for many people, it is a potentially dangerous

situation for the vulnerable. Their needs must be prioritised.”

V. References:
√ Marie. (2020, July 24). World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Philippines. World Report 2021:

Philippines | Human Rights Watch. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/world-

report/2021/country-chapters/philippines

√ COVID Kaya: A Digital Platform for COVID-19 Information Management in the Philippines.

(2020, December 18). COVID Kaya: A digital platform for COVID-19 information management in

the Philippines. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-

stories/detail/covid-kaya-a-digital-platform-for-covid-19-information-management-in-the-

philippines

√ Role of the Sociologist in Pandemic Response | the University of Manchester. The University

of Manchester. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.manchester.ac.uk/coronavirus-

response/humanities-coronavirus-projects/sociologist/