1. Lives versus livelihoods: South African adults' perspectives on the alcohol ban during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Author
-
Essack, Zaynab, Groenewald, Candice, Isaacs, Nazeema, Ntini, Thobeka, Maluleka, Mafanato, Bhembe, Lindelwa, Nkwanyana, Sinakekelwe, and Strode, Ann
- Subjects
LIQUOR laws ,SOCIAL support ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,GOVERNMENT regulation ,SOCIAL media ,LEGAL status of sales personnel ,RACE ,QUALITATIVE research ,STAY-at-home orders ,THEMATIC analysis ,SOCIAL distancing ,JUDGMENT sampling ,STATISTICAL sampling ,COVID-19 pandemic ,PUBLIC opinion ,REFLECTION (Philosophy) - Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a national lockdown including a ban on the sale of alcohol. This paper describes adults' perspectives on this alcohol ban, focusing on whether they support or oppose this regulation. As part of a longitudinal study that documents South African's experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown, qualitative data were collected from 49 adults and analyzed thematically. Perspectives are framed around the overarching theme of "lives versus livelihoods," presented as support and/or opposition to the ban. Participants who endorsed the ban, as preserving "lives," thought that it facilitated social distancing and therefore limited the spread of COVID-19. Those who opposed the ban suggested that it undermined the "livelihoods" of South Africans, in the context of an already-strained economy. Our findings show that decisions around whether to support or oppose the alcohol ban were informed by critical reflections on the wider socio-behavioral and health implications of such regulations. Further implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF