EFFECTS OF COVID 19 PALLIATIVE ON THE VULNERABLE DURING THE LOCK DOWN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examines the effects of Covid 19 palliative on the vulnerable during the lockdown in Nigeria. The study specifically aimed to explore factors that made COVID-19 a threat to vulnerable people in Nigeria. It also aimed to critically consider the benefits of COVID-19 palliatives to vulnerable people in Nigeria. The study adopted the prospect theory approach as its theoretical framework. The prospect approach offered an explanation regarding human relations and decision-making during risk and uncertainty situations. The study was essentially a qualitative one and secondary data was used to generate relevant information. A critical method was also employed. The results from the study indicated that the gap in infrastructure delivery stood out to worsen the COVID-19 crisis among vulnerable people in Nigeria. The results also revealed the insincerity of political leaders who tend to politicize COVID-19 palliative supports to their own advantage and at the expense of vulnerable people. The study concluded that COVID-19 palliatives tended to develop the political elites to the detriment of the vulnerable people who were the target. To address this situation, the political elites in Nigeria need to focus on the well-being of the citizens rather than their own private pockets. It was therefore recommended that Nigeria’s health care system should focus on maintaining existing structures rather than place emphasis on building new structures, the vulnerable citizens should develop an interest in backyard gardening to provide additional nutrients needed to meet their daily dietary needs to reduce the overdependence on government.