COVID-19 and Social Sciences

• Other Authors: Ferreira, Carlos Miguel (Editor), Serpa, Sandro (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2021
• Subjects: Research & information: general; Biology, life sciences; Food & society; education; pandemic; philosophy; policy; practice; psychology; research; social; COVID-19; diabetes; psychosocial effects; self-observations; risk perceptions; social relations; systems theory; qualitative research; social sciences; inequality; contagion; social distancing; online learning; emergency remote teaching; technological challenges; pedagogical challenges; social challenges; risk; Anthropocene; modernization; globalization; disease identity; deliberative valuation; informed decision making; public engagement; stakeholder engagement; n/a
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound effects on all dimensions of life: individual, social, cultural, and public and economic health, among others. The contribution of social sciences is very relevant in understanding this disease and pandemic as well as its effects. It is also relevant for taking measures, such as, for example, compliance with physical distance, mask-wearing, no gatherings, and information to the population in a more efficient way. This book discusses topics such as COVID-19 in a risk society and its implications; the situation of patients with diabetes in a lockdown context; the technological, pedagogical, and social challenges posed by remote teaching; and, finally, the explanation of potential contributions of several specific social sciences that can shape both the taking of measures and their fulfilment in the desired direction. The book concludes with an analysis of the underlying social, psychological, and philosophical issues that are pandemic-related and that may have a considerable impact on societies and individuals, also highlighting the situation of the most disadvantaged groups, given that pandemics tend to accentuate social inequalities.