Supporting Social Distancing for COVID-19 Mitigation Through Community-Based Volunteer Networks

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) 2020-08, Vol.110 (8), p.1167-1168
• Main Authors: Kobokovich, Amanda L, Hosangadi, Divya, Rivers, Caitlin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access; AJPH Covid-19; Betacoronavirus; Community; Community Health; Community Participation - methods; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease control; Disease transmission; Ebola virus; Ebolavirus; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Everyday life; Food security; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - prevention & control; Humans; Influenza; Other Infections; Outbreaks; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Public health; Public Health Practice; Public Health Workers; Safety; SARS-CoV-2; Schools; Social Isolation; Viral diseases; Volunteers
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305740

Recent experiences during a variety of disease outbreaks, ranging from Ebola to influenza, have underscored the potential for epidemics to have an impact on daily life, even for those who are not themselves infected.1,2 In severe situations, epidemics or pandemics can even affect overall community functioning. For example, a rapidly expanding pandemic can result in shuttered schools, cancelled events, food insecurity, and social distrust in communities.Some of the effects of emerging epidemics are particularly pronounced in global efforts to control the spread of SARSCoV-2. Officials in many countries have closed businesses and schools, implemented widespread cordon sanitaires, and cancelled flights and trains. The outbreak has overburdened health systems, making it challenging for people to access care for COVID-19 and for other conditions.3 Despite the implementation of intensive control efforts initially in China, where the pandemic first began, widespread transmission of COVID-19 has been established in almost all countries as of April 8, 2020, indicating that most countries have faced or will soon face questions about whether and how to implement socialdistancing measures.As transmission ofCOVID-19 continues to disrupt daily life, communities could consider using volunteer networks to support community functioning. We explore examples of how volunteers have played a role in minimizing the disruption of epidemic response efforts. We then highlight key roles and responsibilities that volunteers may be able to fill during epidemics or pandemics. Finally, we outline important considerations for the ethical use and safety of volunteers.