Impact of COVID-19 on Hand Hygiene Behavior: A Sociological Analysis

This assignment analyzes the significant changes in hand hygiene behavior within communities since the advent of COVID-19, examining the shift to regular hand sanitization and washing. Using a sociological perspective, the document links these micro-level changes to macro-level societal outcomes. The study further outlines the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of casual employment for university students, considering historical, cultural, structural, and critical perspectives. It discusses how the pandemic has affected employment opportunities, skill gaps, and wages, concluding that COVID-19 has substantially altered casual employment prospects for students. The assignment references various studies and publications to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive overview of the pandemic's sociological and economic effects.

QUESTION 1
Reflect on the changes you have noticed in hand hygiene behaviour in the community since the advent
of Covid-19
The advent of Covid-19 has significantly raised awareness about hand hygiene, which has been
massively and conscientiously applied by the community. These shifts include regular use of hand sanitiser or
washing of hands for at least twenty seconds, in any situation which could cause contamination, potentially
resulting in spreading the virus. This basic and predominantly protective method is something the general public
can do unaided as well as having the option of convenient and transportable hand saniser (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (2020). “Our hands are a critical vector for transmitting microorganisms (Edmonds‐
Wilson, Nurinova, Zapka, Fierer, & Wilson, 2015)”. First and foremost, therefore, the community is now aware
that their hands are vectors for infection. This awareness has hence been broadly fostered by public health
campaigns and has led to behavioural changes, such as regular hand sanistising when entering and exiting shops,
touching public areas such as lift buttons etc. Public figures, policemen and politicians etc. have also actively
promoted the importance of hand hygiene, therefore advocating its vital role in the need for hand hygiene to
slow down the spread of Covid 19.
QUESTION 2
Using a sociological view link observed changes in hand hygiene behavior at the micro
or individual level, to the overall outcomes at the macro or societal level.
In regard to hand hygiene behavior it can be said that it varies among HCWs individual features play a
vital role in determining behavior.
Micro level changes: As per the regulations and legal aspect, people are not allowed to enter in stores
and main market without using hand sanitizers which are placed at different spots in stores or at public places. It
has become a norm habit of general people to sanitize their hand. At social level also, responsible people have
placed sanitizers. For entering into public park and others they need to use hand sanitizer. Thus Covid-19 has
changed hand hygiene behavior among people at micro level to the great extent.
Macro level: In regard to personal and macro level it can be said that people have changed their habits
and they have included washing hands and using hand sanitizer as like others. They keep hand sanitizer with
them and on regular basis they wash their hands. But there are some people of undeveloped and developing
countries, who are not still aware and have not taken it seriously.

It has changed perception of people at micro and individual level and they strongly believe that by using
hand sanitizer and maintaining hand hygiene they can protect themselves against getting affected with Covid-19
to the great extent (Moore and et.al., 2021).
QUESTION 3
Give a short outline of how the availability of casual employment as a financial means to support
students at university, has been impacted by a greater societal issue – Covid-19.
Historical: Before Covid-19, situations and opportunities for casual employment for university students
was very different. Structure related to employment was easier before Covid-19. Earlier it was very convenient
for students to get job as per normal structure. Companies also find easier in recruiting such people as per their
requirement.
Cultural: Covid-19 affected students and people in getting job in this context as well. Before Covid-19
and pandemic, people of various cultural communities used to shake hands and hug each other’s while meeting.
But after Covid-19, they are not allowed to do so, it has changed cultural perception to the great extent. People
are now bound to wear mask so, it can be said that it has changed cultural values and norms.
Structural: As per the structure of companies, they were able to hire candidates easily. Candidates were
paid high compensations but now because of lock down and restriction on immigration, students have to work at
lower pay. After the lock down, caused by Covid-19, all students and people need to give their medical report
and make sure that they are disease free and are not affected with Covid-19. It has decreased scope and chances
of getting employment opportunity in easier manner (Vandenberg, Livingston and O'Brien, 2020).
Critical: Employment opportunities and casual employment have changed significantly after Covid-19.
Before Covid-19, all students were allowed to work and it used to make them increase their knowledge. The
reason behind was: opportunities of job. But now because of decreasing sales and decreasing disposable
income and lock down, companies are not able to pay employees and employing to the great extent.
They have cut down many jobs. As of now, only skilled, experienced people are allowed to work and
get employment opportunities. So, it has increased skill gap and demotivated students who are not
getting selected. Companies are hiring them at lower pay so, it can be said that it has brought changes
in skills gap and wages. (Desai, Deshmukh and Pramanik, 2021).
Overall, it can be said that Covid-19 has changed casual employment to great extent and university
students are finding problems in getting employment opportunities in their desired field.

CONCLUSION
It has been summarized from the above study that Covid-19 affected students' employment
opportunities to the great extent.

REFERENCES
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19): FAQ
on Hand Hygiene. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/hcp-hand-hygiene-faq.html
(Accessed 26th March 2020). [Google Scholar]
2. Edmonds‐Wilson, S. L. , Nurinova, N. I. , Zapka, C. A. , Fierer, N. , & Wilson, M. (2015). Review
of human hand microbiome research. Journal of Dermatological Science, 80, 3–12.
10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.07.006 [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
3. Moore, L.D. and et.al., 2021. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hand hygiene performance
in hospitals. American Journal of Infection Control. 49(1). pp.30-33.
4. Vandenberg, B., Livingston, M. and O'Brien, K., 2020. When the pubs closed: beer
consumption before and after the first and second waves of COVID‐19 in Australia. Addiction.
5. Desai, S., Deshmukh, N. and Pramanik, S., 2021. Precarity in a Time of Uncertainty: Gendered
Employment Patterns during the Covid-19 Lockdown in India. Feminist Economics. pp.1-21.