The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak has created many global challenges and changed the way people live and interact. It has created forces that have shaped the social life and created consequences felt both in the economy and health care systems. The weaknesses and strengths in the healthcare systems have been revealed, and the whole functionality of the society affected. This paper analyzes the impacts and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic using various sociological theories. The major theorists used to analyze the pandemic include Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Dorothy Smith.
Karl Marx Sociological Theory
Marx's sociological theory studies the society through economic systems. In his study of the class struggles, Marx examined the relationship between the economy and the workers. According to Marx, society progresses through the struggle between different social classes (Sica, 2019). He examines the way economics plays a major role in defining the social roles and expectations of different people within the class structures. Marx seeks to address several questions, including the role of economic factors on inequalities relating to race and gender. On the conflict theory perspectives, Marx analyzes the inequalities existing in society, majorly based on race and gender. The inequalities are transferred from one generation to the next, leading to a continued system within the society.
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Marxist's view of social inequality in the society can be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic mainly through the greater risk of infection, development of the symptoms, and even succumbing to the disease. Poverty and social inequality play a great role in the spread and progression of COVID-19. Low-income families are at greater risk of getting infected with the disease. The families in the houses without running water may not be able to wash their hands are required frequently. Also, the homeless and people living in the camps may not practice the physical distancing required to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. Besides, the low-income families, which are usually the people of color, do not have insurance and may avoid or delay seeking treatment (Van Bavel et al., 2020). This group also relies on public transport, further risking the risks of infections due to large crowds. Besides, the group is also more likely to succumb to the disease. Social inequality is majorly associated with the pre-existing conditions such as the chronic diseases which compromise the immune
The issue of inequality tends to intersect with race and ethnicity. The majority of the minority groups, including the blacks and Latinos, are disproportionately found in the low-income group. They form the majority of the homeless and those with chronic conditions, thus more vulnerable to the virus. The social networks tend to be racially differentiated, and the members of the minority groups are at more risk of infection. The report by the CDC shows that 30% of the COVID-19 patients in the United States are African Americans, even though they only make up 13% of the total population ( Vox, 2020 ). The African Americans are overrepresented amongst the COVID-19 cases, which shows how this pandemic is amplifying itself to the pre-existing social inequalities tied to race, class, and access to healthcare. The racial inequality and low economic conditions of this group are also associated with increased levels of mistrust with the social institutions, including the healthcare systems. While their position makes it difficult for them to wash their hands or maintain social distancing, they are also more likely to disregard such warnings. The situation of COVID-19 amongst the low-income minorities reflects the Marxist view on class struggle and social inequalities in society.
Emile Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory
This theory holds that society is made up of many interdependent parts that must work together to contribute to the full functioning of the society. The various social institutions are required to work together interdependently to make the society to function fully (Sinha, 2017). The parts of the society include the government, education, healthcare, family, and the economy. When there is a lack of balance between these institutions, society will have to adapt to create stability. For example, during hard economic times, the government responds by trimming social programs; families tightened their budgets to create back stability.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created instability in the whole structure and functioning of the community. There have been massive job losses, the costs of living are high while families struggle to meet their daily needs. The healthcare sector is getting overworked, and government expenditure is surpassing the budget. All this has affected the functionality of the society, making different parts unable to work together. In response to the instability, families are tightening their budgets to manage the situations. The family expenditure has drastically dropped as they see to fit in amid lost livelihood due to the pandemic. The government, on the other hand, is trimming its expenditure on social programs and diverting more funds to the health sector. Also, the government is putting on measures to shield the households from the adverse effects of the economy. All these responses are attempts to restore the full functionality of social institutions. According to Durkheim, society is held together when there is cohesion. All the members of society agree to work together for the common best. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced global cohesion, where the whole world is united in dealing with a common problem.
Standpoint Theory: Dorothy Smith
Smith created the concept of the standpoint theory to explain how women are important to society, yet their viewpoints are usually rejected. Smith argued that women could provide an important source of knowledge to help in changing society. She is, however, worried about the male-centered approach where women's knowledge is usually ignored at the expense of that of men (Newcomb, 2020). Smith recognizes the significant role that women can play in creating important change, and thus their viewpoints need to be considered.
Smith's theory applies to the COVID-19 pandemic by looking at the role of women in solving the problem. Since the outbreak of the disease, women across the globe have played a forefront role. Women are at the forefront as frontline healthcare workers, caregivers, and community mobilizers. The significant role of women promoting social change and growth has been witnessed on how women have been of great significance in responding to the pandemic. As Smith states, women have the power to play a great role in shaping the community. Women have contributed to the communication and advocacy, promoting awareness about the disease and how to keep safe.
Conclusion
COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of changes in normal human life. It has changed the whole process of human interactions and created a new way of life. The pandemic has revealed weaknesses in the health care systems and identified strengths in certain social institutions. Various sociological theorists provide clear perspectives that can best be applied in this situation.
References
Newcomb, M. (2020). Sociology for the people: Dorothy Smith’s Sociology for Social Work. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Pedagogies for Social Work. Vol. One. , 189-200.
Sica, A. (2019). Classical sociological theory. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Sociology , 1-20.
Sinha, V. (2017). Emile Durkheim (1858–1917). In Sociological Theory Beyond the Canon (pp. 171-203). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Van Bavel, J. J., Boggio, P., Capraro, V., Cichocka, A., Cikara, M., Crockett, M., ... & Ellemers, N. (2020). Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response.
Vox. (2020). New CDC data shows Covid-19 is affecting African Americans at exceptionally high rates . Retrieved 4 May 2020, from https://www.vox.com/coronavirus-covid19/2020/4/18/21226225/coronavirus-black-cdc-infection .
