Answer to Question #267328 in Sociology for Dimakatso

Question

pandemic highlighted the prevalent inequalities in the South African health system, the stigmatisation of persons who tested positive with the virus, the impact of the pandemic on the family, and the role of the media in societies across the globe.

Describe what the notion of health inequality entails and discuss the gender related health inequalities experienced in South Africa.

Define the sociological term ‘stigma’ and discuss briefly how it affects people experiencing an illness.

Discuss the socio-economic experiences of the family and some of the ways that the Covid-19 lockdowns have affected different households.

Provide a definition of democracy, then discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the notion of democracy in South Africa.

Describe and apply the following theoretical explanations (e.g. hypodermic syringe model, inoculation model, two-step flow model) of the relationship between the media and its audiences and how it manifested during the pandemic

Answer 1

Gender inequality has a significant influence on children's lives in Eastern and Southern Africa. There is a clear relationship between a child's gender and their ability to realize their rights and reach their full potential, with societal standards favoring boys over girls in almost every facet of life.

Screening, containment (or suppression), and mitigation are the strategies used to control an epidemic. Screening is performed using a device such as a thermometer to identify the high body temperature associated with coronavirus fevers. [185] Containment is implemented in the early stages of an epidemic with the goal of tracing and isolating persons sick as well as implementing additional steps to prevent the illness from spreading. When it is no longer possible to contain the illness, efforts shift to the mitigation stage, in which steps are sought to restrict its spread and reduce its impact on the healthcare system and society. It is possible that a mix of containment and mitigation measures will be implemented.

International IDEA has agreed to organize webinars on the topic of The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law in Different Regions of the African Continent to contribute to the latter subject. The first such webinar, held on April 23, was aimed towards Francophone and Lusophone countries in Central and West Africa. The next one, on May 27, will concentrate on Southern Africa.

The goal of the discussion will be to look at both the current situation and the possibilities for the future in order to contribute to the analysis and thought process of decision-makers, professionals, researchers, journalists, and citizen groups on this topic.