Homelessness and Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The deadly Coronavirus pandemic is ravaging the world, with dire consequences in virtually all sectors, and across all categories of people. However, vulnerable groups such as the homeless are likely to suffer more devastating effects. Owing to the impracticability of recommended preventive measures among the homeless, they are susceptible to get infected, and possibly die of the virus. The objective of this paper is to examine the vulnerability of the homeless to coronavirus infection and how the circumstances surrounding homelessness could exacerbate the plight of this category of people. The paper relies on secondary data and adopts critical analysis in examining the plight of the homeless regarding the pandemic. It concludes that thousands of the homeless could get infected with Covid-19, and possibly die as a result of the pandemic owing to their vulnerability, occasioned by the condition of homelessness.

KEYWORDS:

• Homelessness
• coronavirus
• pandemic
• Nigeria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Okoro Paul Mmahi

Okoro Paul Mmahi is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, Master of Science Degree, and Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Abia State University, University of Ibadan, and Nasarawa State University respectively. His area of specialization is Criminology. His research interests include: policing, victimization, organized crime, deviance, and environmental crime.

Udo Chikezie Osisiogu

Udo Osisiogu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.His working experience include working with young and adult offenders, and youths with challenging behaviour in Toronto, Canada and Peterborough in the United Kingdom. He obtained his doctorate degree in Criminology in 2002 from the University of Hall, UK.