Lives versus livelihoods: South African adults' perspectives on the alcohol ban during the COVID-19 lockdown
SOURCE: Journal of Substance Use
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2022
TITLE AUTHOR(S): Z.Essack, C.Groenewald, N.Isaacs, T.Ntini, M.Maluleka, L.Bhembe, S.Nkwayana, A.Strode
KEYWORDS: ADULTS, ALCOHOL USE, COVID-19 LOCKDOWN, PUBLIC OPINION
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC), Impact Centre (IC), Office of the CEO (ERM), Office of the CEO (OCEO), Office of the CEO (IL), Office of the CEO (BS), Impact Centre (PRESS), Impact Centre (CC), Office of the CEO (IA)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 9812338
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/19366
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/19366
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2022
TITLE AUTHOR(S): Z.Essack, C.Groenewald, N.Isaacs, T.Ntini, M.Maluleka, L.Bhembe, S.Nkwayana, A.Strode
KEYWORDS: ADULTS, ALCOHOL USE, COVID-19 LOCKDOWN, PUBLIC OPINION
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC), Impact Centre (IC), Office of the CEO (ERM), Office of the CEO (OCEO), Office of the CEO (IL), Office of the CEO (BS), Impact Centre (PRESS), Impact Centre (CC), Office of the CEO (IA)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 9812338
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/19366
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/19366
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
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.-
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