The Effect of Social Distancing on Nigeria’s Economy; A Case Study of Corona Virus Disease
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of social distancing on Nigeria economy a case study of corona virus disease. The specific objectives are to:
- examine the level of coronavirus disease in Nigeria.
- investigate the impact of social distancing on Nigeria economy.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The chapter deals with literature review on the concept of the effect of social distancing on Nigerian economy a case study of corona virus disease. This involves various definitions of social distancing, economy, the Nigerian economy COVID-19, Nigeria case of COVID-19, the review of empirical studies, theoretical review and theoretical framework.
Conceptual Review
In this section, the basic relevant concepts were reviewed. These include social distancing, COVID-19, among others.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures taken to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by maintaining a physical distance between people and reducing the number of times people come into close contact with each other (Harris et. a., 2020; Johnson et. al., 2020). By reducing the probability that a given uninfected person will come into physical contact with an infected person, the disease transmission can be suppressed, resulting in fewer deaths (Harris et. a., 2020; Johnson et. al., 2020). The measures are combined with good respiratory hygiene and hand washing (WHO, 2009). During the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the reference to “physical” as an alternative to “social”, in keeping with the notion that it is a physical distance which prevents transmission; people can remain socially connected via technology (Harris et. al., 2020; Hensley, 2020; Tangermann, 2020; Kumar, 2020). To slow down the spread of infectious diseases and avoid overburdening healthcare systems, particularly during a pandemic, several social distancing measures are used, including the closing of schools and workplaces, isolation, quarantine, restricting movement of people and the cancellation of mass gatherings (Johnson et. al., 2020; Kinlaw & Levine, 2007).
Social distancing measures are more effective when the infectious disease spreads via droplet contact (coughing or sneezing); direct physical contact, including sexual contact; indirect physical contact (e.g., by touching a contaminated surface); or airborne transmission (if the microorganism can survive in the air for long periods) (Public Health Department: Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System, 2017). The measures are less effective when an infection is transmitted primarily via contaminated water or food or by vectors such as mosquitoes or other insects (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have described social distancing as a set of “methods for reducing frequency and closeness of contact between people in order to decrease the risk of transmission of disease” (Kinlaw & Levine, 2007). During the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic, the CDC revised the definition of social distancing as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately six feet or two meters) from others when possible” (Pearce, 2020; CDC, 2020).
Why practice social distancing
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter covers the methodology of this study. Key issues discussed includes; data collection, sampling technique, instrument for data collection, method of data analysis among others.
Research Design
The research design used for this study is survey. It is used as an assessment tool to provide information on which to base sound decisions. It also serves as a foundation for more investigation. The data gathered in a survey are usually answers to predetermined questions that are asked of respondents. This research method was adopted because it offers opportunity for the collation of facts and information from a wide spectrum of respondents without much expense, hence it is expedient for this research.
The use of survey is a favourable option for the following reasons:
- It is accurate
- It is unstructured and can capture time change.
This method is objective in the sense that the personal bias of the researcher is not allowed in findings.
Population of the Study
The population included all residents of Lagos state, Ogun State and FCT.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher tends to deal with the analysis and presentation of data collected in the course of this project. A total of 400 copies of questionnaire were administered in the area under study and 372 copies were retrieved from the respondents. This represents 93% return rate.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter deals with the summary of this study, conclusions from the findings and recommendations which can be used for policy making.
Summary
This study investigate the effect of social distancing on Nigerian economy a case study of corona virus disease. The study is in five chapters. In the first chapter, a general background of the study was undertaken. In view of the background, the problems of study were identified and stated, the research questions, the objective, scope and significant of the study were outline and discussed. Finally in the first chapter is the definition of key concepts used in the study.
Chapter two contains the review of various literatures on the concept of the effect of social distancing on Nigerian economy a case study of corona virus disease. This involves various definitions of social distancing, economy, the Nigerian economy COVID-19, Nigeria case of COVID-19. Also in the second chapter is the empirical and theoretical reviews, theory use as a basis for this study (The infectious disease transmission mechanism theory) was found best for this study.
In the third chapter of this work, the research design, population of study, sample size, sampling techniques, instrument for data collection, method of data collection, validity/reliability of instrument and method of data analysis were all discussed.
In the fourth chapter, data collected (primary) were presented and analysed to answer the research questions. Based on the various findings, the two questions were answered. After the analysis, the findings are as follows:
- The level of coronavirus disease in Nigeria is average.
- Social distancing has significant effect on Nigeria economy.
Conclusion
This study has underscored the effect of social distancing on Nigerian economy a case study of corona virus disease. Findings from this research uncovered that the infectious epidemic has great effect on the smooth operation of the economy of Nigeria. This is consistent with the findings of Kristine M. Smith, Catherine C. Machalaba, Richard Seifman, Yasha Feferholtz, and William B. Karesha, which revealed that beyond the public health impacts of regional or global emerging and endemic infectious disease events lay wider socioeconomic consequences that are often not considered in risk or impact assessments. With rapid and extensive international travel and trade, such events can elicit economic shock waves far beyond the realm of traditional health sectors and original geographical range of a pathogen. While private sector organizations are impacted indirectly by these disease events, they are under-recognized yet effective stakeholders that can provide critical information, resources, and key partnerships to public and private health systems in response to and in preparation for potential infectious disease events and their socioeconomic consequences. This position was further reiterated in the findings of Wuqi Qiu, Cordia Chu, Ayan Mao, and Jing Wu (2018) which corroborate that Epidemics such as SARS and H7N9 have caused huge negative impacts on population health and the economy in China. Aims. Both outbreaks of SARS and H7N9 have had an impact on China, causing significant negative impacts on health, the economy, and even national and even international security. Both SARS coronavirus and H7N9 viruses presented a global epidemic threat, but the social and economic impacts of H7N9 were not as serious as in the case of SARS because the response to H7N9 was more effective.
Thus, in the light of the foregoing, this study reliably concludes that social distancing has a negative effect on the economy of Nigeria.
Recommendations
On the strength of the observations and findings made in this study the following recommendations have been made.
- Measures should be devised to curb the spread of the virus and vaccine created so as to prevent further hinge on economic activities.
- Economic agents should devise a means to function as normal even if it entails making use of online means.
Limitations to the Study
The study faced some constraints. They include insufficient literature material, financial constraint, time constraint, location of the case study. However findings and recommendation is made valuable for policy implementation.
Suggestions for Further Studies
This study has researched on the effect of social distancing on Nigerian economy a case study of corona virus disease. Further research can be done on the following:
- Impact of coronavirus disease on banking activities.
- Impact of coronavirus disease on production.
REFERENCES
- Ugochukwu, U. O., Uchechi, C. E., Chuku, A., & Huldah, I. N. (2015). Ebola epidemic – the Nigerian experience. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2015;22 (Supp 1):17. doi:10.11604/pamj.supp.2015.22.1.6625
- Kristine M. Smith, Catherine C. Machalaba, Richard Seifman, Yasha Feferholtz, and William B. Karesha. Infectious disease and economics: The case for considering multi-sectoral impacts retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Collinson S, Khan K, Heffernan JM (2015) The Effects of Media Reports on Disease Spread and Important Public Health Measurements. PLoS ONE 10(11): e0141423. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141423.
- Harris, M.; Adhanom G., Tedros; Liu, Tu; Ryan, M. “Mike” J.; Vadia; Van K., Maria D.; Diego; Foulkes, I.; Ondelam, C.; Gretler, C.; Costas (2020). “COVID-19” (PDF). World Health Organization. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
- Johnson, C. Y.; Sun, L.; Freedman, A. (2020). “Social distancing could buy U.S. valuable time against coronavirus: It’s a make-or-break moment with coronavirus to test one of the most basic—but disruptive—public health tools”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- WHO (2020). “Pandemic influenza prevention and mitigation in low resource communities” (PDF). World Health Organization. 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
