By Stefan Jungcurt
"As many countries around the world experience a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, decision makers face the dual challenges of containing new outbreaks, while addressing the enduring consequences of the economic lockdowns imposed to contain the first wave. COVID-19 acts as a generalized shock to the economic and social fabric of societies, reducing their resilience to other crises. It is time to prepare a more complex response to the pandemic and its economic and social consequences.
The coming months will be crucial to prevent casualties for those at elevated risk of contracting the virus, and most affected by the measures to contain it.
In September 2020, during the 75th high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, world leaders stressed that swift action is needed to prevent a broad reversal of progress towards the SDGs, especially regarding poverty, food security, and health. The impacts of the pandemic have been highly uneven, often hitting people who were already struggling the hardest and pushing vulnerable populations even further behind.
The coming months will be crucial to prevent a rise in casualties among those who are both at elevated risk of contracting the virus, and most affected by the measures taken to contain it. While the headlines are dominated by news about case numbers, social distancing fatigue, and fear of lockdown relapse, experts and decision makers are beginning to discuss how we can ensure that no one is left behind in the time of a pandemic."
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