Abstract:
Informed by evidence from past studies and
experiences with epidemics, an intervention combining
quarantine, lockdowns, curfews, social distancing, and
washing of hands has been adopted as “international
best practice” in COVID-19 response. With massive
total lockdowns complemented by electronic surveil-
lance, China successfully controlled the pandemic in
country within a few months. But would this work for
Africa and other communalistic resource-poor settings
where social togetherness translates to effective sharing
of basic needs? What ethical and practical challenges
would this pose? How would communalism be translat-
ed in special contexts to be useful in contributing to the
ultimate common good? This paper uses examples from
the current situation of COVID-19 in Kenya to address
these questions.
