DETAILED FINDINGS
The community-based researchers compiled a variety of views from Rohingya community
members regarding their perspectives on Covid-19 and the response to prevent its
spread in the camps. The findings presented here point to the heterogeneity of views
amongst diverse community members and highlight the importance of avoiding
generalizations, though key trends have been highlighted where appropriate.
(1) Knowledge, understanding and perspectives of Coronavirus
By the time the second round of research was conducted, most of the people
interviewed had an understanding of the main symptoms of Covid-19. They were aware
that the elderly and those with preexisting conditions are at the most risk, and were
familiar with common prevention measures including wearing masks, social distancing,
hygiene, hand-washing, and sheltering in place. However, many expressed wanting
more detailed information about the nature of the virus and prevention. An unlicensed
health practitioner living in Camp 13 listed preventative measures that had gained
widespread acceptance within the camps:
People should stay home, maintain social distance, avoid handshaking, avoid
kissing, and wash hands for at least 20 seconds. This should be done frequently
with antibacterial hand soap and followed by rubbing hands with hand sanitizer.
People should wear hand gloves, face masks, and protective glasses.
They
should stay home, avoid going to crowded places like child-friendly spaces,
mosques, religious schools, government schools, and wedding ceremonies. The
symptoms are high fever, coughing, sneezing, body pain and loss of energy.
According to my understanding, there is a very high risk for people over 60 years
of age, and for those who have been suffering diabetes, blood pressure,
typhoid, etc.
While many reported having substantive knowledge of Covid-19 and its prevention, as
has been the case in other global (displacement) contexts, conspiracy theories and
doubts about the virus and its prevention still exist within the camps. Due to the virus’
low impact on the Rohingya population thus far, some have come to doubt the fact
that it actually exists. For instance, according to a 27-year-old NGO volunteer living in
Camp 1W:
Our people named this virus as the “death virus” because it causes death to
whoever is infected. As soon as the coronavirus appeared here, people
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