This book presents an overview of social problems and health problems that arose out of, or were flared up by, the global COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses most vital problems in developed and developing countries from literally around the world, by top country experts in their respective fields of study. The book debates first certain overall thematic topics and then analyzes a number of key country case studies. Apart from a set of key theme/problem-based chapters, the country case studies from major-hit countries in the world are yet another highlight of the book. They also feature, in addition to analyzing the pandemic and policy responses per se, one extra special focal point each. The book hence covers the core of most severe social problems, including health problems, that have been spurred or set off by the COVID-19 pandemic. An overall theory chapter that uses a global data analysis and a short theoretical appraisal on the 'human face' of the Pandemic is also offered at the beginning of book, to bring back humanity and human decency (i.e. decency of the human condition) into the scientific debate as well as policy making arena, which is utterly needed at this point of human development.
Author(s): Christian Aspalter
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 305
City: Singapore
Foreword by Alan Walker
Foreword by Joe C. B. Leung
Contents
Contributors
Part I Introductory and Overarching Theory Part
1 Introduction: The New Age of Zombie Politics
References
2 The Human Face of the Pandemic
On the Causal Relationship Between Inequality and Systemic Poverty
Policymaking for Survival and Dignity
Attacking Global Human Dignity: The Appalling Rise of Inequality Across the Globe
Policymaking and Its Comparative Performance During the Pandemic
General Conclusions and Takeaways
Appendix: Aggregate Country Performances During the Early Phase of Covid-19 Pandemic: Using Aspalter’s SRP Index
References
Part II Theme Chapters on Social Problems Raised by the Pandemic
3 Socio-economic and Geographic Inequality of the Effects of the Pandemic
Introduction
The United States as Outlier in Both Covid-Related Mortality and Economic Inequality
The Impact of the Pandemic
Geographic Sorting
Economic Inequality
The Pandemic’s Differential Effects on Workers
Political Polarization
Summing Up
Notes
References
4 The Covid-19 Pandemic and “Rising Deaths of Despair” in the United States
Introduction
Social and Individual-Level Factors
Evangelical Christianity
Conclusions
Notes
References
5 Aging and Long-Term Care Problems During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Introduction
Trends and Challenges in the Long-Term Care Sector
Pre-Pandemic Long-Term Care Reforms in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy
Long-Term Care Reforms: Main Characteristics and Achievements
Long-Term Care Reforms and Pre-Pandemic Institutional Change
The Pandemic and Its Consequences: Measures and Policy in the Long-Term Care Sector
Conclusion
Notes
References
6 Older People During the Covid-19 Pandemic: An International Comparison of Four Cities
Introduction
Emergency and Disaster Risk Management for Health (Health-EDRM)
Health-EDRM Framework
Concerns for the Vulnerable
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Older People in Cities
Literature Review
Concept of Health Welfare Regime
Government Responses
Older People’s Reactions
Methodology
Selection of Cities
Timeframe of Study
Framework of Case Study
Findings
Case One: Older People in Wuhan (January to May 2020)
Case Two: Older People in Milan (February to May 2020)
Case Three: London and Its Older People (March 2020 to March 2021)
Case Four: Older People in Hong Kong, China (January to June 2022)
Discussion
Covid-19 Deaths and Preventable Deaths
Older People-Friendly Healthcare
Health Welfare Regime
Conclusions
References
7 Comparing Social Policy Responses Between Separate Crises: Taking the Case of Indonesia
The Paths to Change
The Evolution of Indonesian Social Policy
Shaping Policy Responses: Comparative Cases from Two Crises
The Asian Financial Crisis
The Covid-19 Crisis
Lessons Learned
References
Part III Country Case Study Chapters on the Pandemic Itself (With Additional Focal Points)
8 The Pandemic in Mainland China: With Special Reference to Rising Relative Poverty
Relative Poverty in the Modern Society: Notions and Concepts
The Rising Relative Poverty During the Covid-19 Pandemic and China’s
Social Policy Responses
An Overview of China’s Relative Poverty Development During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Job Market and People’s Livelihood: The Phenomenon of “Poverty Caused by the Pandemic” (in Chinese: Inyi Zhipin)
In the Urban Spaces
In Rural Spaces
Response of Economic Policy, Tax Policy and Social Policy to Relative Poverty During the Pandemic
Economic, Fiscal and Tax Policy
Unemployment Insurance
Social Assistance
Secondary Poverty—A Form of Relative Poverty
Conclusion and Discussion
Notes
References
9 The Covid-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: With Special Reference to Older People’s Problems
Covid-19 Pandemic in Taiwan
Main Preventive Measures to Control the Covid-19 Spread
Covid-19 Pandemic and Older Adults in Taiwan
Preventive Measures in Hospital and Older People with Health Conditions
Decreases in Numbers of Outpatient Visits and Hospital Admissions
Infection Control Measures in Taiwanese Hospitals and Their Effects on Health of Patients
Adaptive Strategies in Government and Hospitals
Preventive Measures Affecting Home- and Community-Based Services and Migrant Home Care Workers
Effects of Infection Control Measures on Home- and Community-Based Services and the Termination of the Entry of Migrant Home Care Workers on Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Infection Control Measures in Long-Term Care Facilities
Number of Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
Infection Control Measures in Long-Term Care Institutions
Adaptive Strategies in Long-Term Care Facilities
Effects of Infection Control Measures on Older Adults Who Live Alone
Number of Older Adults Who Live Alone in Taiwan
Effects of Infection Control Measures on Older Adults Who Live Alone
Adaptive Strategies for Older Adults Who Live Alone
Suggestions for Future Policy Responses for Older Persons in a Pandemic
Appendix A: Panel A—Average Outpatient Visits in Every 0.1 Million People from 2017–2020
Appendix A: Panel B—Changes Between Years in Average Outpatient Visits in Every 0.1 Million People from 2017–2020
Appendix B: Panel A—Average Hospital Admissions in Every 0.1 Million people by Age Group from 2017–2020
Appendix B: Panel B—Changes in Average Hospital Admissions by Age Group from 2017–2020
References
10 The Covid-19 Pandemic in Thailand: With Special Reference to Informal Workers’ Problems
Introduction
The Covid-19 Pandemic in Thailand and Its Impact on the Economy
Informal Sector in Thailand
Policy Response for Informal Employment
Conclusion
References
11 The Covid-19 Pandemic in Italy: With Special Reference to the Effects on Women and Families
Introduction
The Development of the Pandemic in Italy
The Emergency Phase
The Coexistence Phase
Impact on Mortality and Births
Impacts on Work and Schooling
Government Response and Evaluation of It
Consequences of the Pandemic for Women and Families
Violence Against Women in Interpersonal and Family Relationships
Impact on Family and Work Integration: An Overview
Work-Family Reconciliation Strategies in Italy in 2020: Longitudinal Evidence
Conclusion and Outlook
Notes
References
12 The Covid-19 Pandemic in Greece: With Special Reference to Women’s Employment
Introduction
The Evolution of the Pandemic in Greece
Government Response and Its Evaluation
Women’s Employment During the Pandemic in Greece
Conclusions
Notes
References
13 The Covid-19 Pandemic in Austria: With Special Reference to Migrant Care Workers
Introduction
The Pandemic Development in Austria
Government Response and Its Evaluation
Migrant Care Workers During the Covid Crisis
Outlook and Conclusion
Notes
References
Part IV Concluding Part
14 Analyzing Problem-Cum-Policy Cycles and Evaluating Policy Strategies in the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Meta Conclusion
References
