Social Distancing in Response to Covid-19 in the United States

1. Material

1.1. Covid-19 Test Kits (Artifact) - Are material driven because there is a shortage of resources to manufacturer many test kits, resulting in issues during this outbreak

1.2. Masks (Artifact) - An increase in demand of masks during this outbreak was not met with the needed supply resulting in a shortage

1.3. Toilet Paper (Artifact) - Limited supply and unprepared for a sudden increase in demand, resulting in limited availability

1.4. Hand Sanitizer (Artifact) - Refer to toilet paper and masks

1.5. Hospitals (Artifact) - A shortage in hospitals that can provide services for those suffering from Covid-19 results in more physical harms to society

2. Technological

2.1. Internet Services (Artifact) - Services such as zoom are driven by technological factors because the increase in demand as the nation goes online for many industries results in more investment in development of these services. In addition, similar to necessities like toilet paper and masks the increase in demand has resulted in limited bandwidth availability in many areas, displacing some members of society.

2.2. Vaccines (Artifact) - Driven by technology because the increase in demand for a vaccine for Covid-19 has affected other areas of research and development.

2.3. Social Distancing (Activity) - In response to Covid-19, many states are employing social distancing policies with the hopes that it will flatten the curve in the long run; this is technologically driven because it is a technology developed in response to an issue

3. Context

3.1. Mortality Rates (Artifact) - Data relating to mortality rates provides helpful context to allow states to compare how well areas are reacting to certain measures, letting states develop the best method of combating Covid-19

3.2. Growth Rates (Artifact) - Similar to mortality rates, other data such as growth rates help nations and states measure what areas need help the most or are fighting the outbreak most effectively

4. Economic

4.1. Unemployed (Stakeholder) - A large spike in unemployment as a result of quarantine and many businesses closing their doors displaces many members of the working class, while also severely impacting the economy

4.2. Pharmaceutical Industry (Stakeholder) - With significant funding going into research for vaccines, some areas of research are losing investment which may have lasting non-physical harms on society

4.3. Interview 2 (Data Collection Technique) - "we can’t have a functioning economy if everyone is home." Economic drivers are causing my subject to consider how a nation at home can affect the economy; they consider the costs and risks of the decline in the economy caused by business shutdowns versus the physical harm presented by Covid-19 in my interview

5. Bodily/Identity

5.1. Sick (Stakeholder) - People who have contracted Covid-19 have the most at stake in regards to quarantine, as the amount of sick people will determine how many hospitals have available beds. If social distancing doesn't reduce growth, many sick people will be at risk of physical harm.

5.2. Elderly (Stakeholder) - Elderly are most at risk of physical harm as a result of Covid-19 as they are the most susceptible

6. Educational

6.1. Parents (Stakeholder) - Are forced in many cases to balance both work and raising/educating a child, especially in the case of younger children as a result of schools closing

6.2. Students (Stakeholder) - With education transitioning online in most cases, the educational process is affected in many cases, with some students struggling to find a good environment for learning

7. Symbolic

7.1. Methods taken against Covid-19 as "War" (Data Collection Technique) - This metaphor represents our struggle against this crisis. Therefore, the way this is represented is symbolic, and represents the efforts that go into the fight by average people; It is symbolically driven because it is a metaphor

8. Labor

8.1. Essential Workers (Stakeholder) - Fall under labor because they are play a large role in keeping the nation functioning during quarantine

8.2. Healthcare Workers (Stakeholder) - Also are influenced by labor drivers because their service provides structure for the nation during this outbreak

9. Professional/Epistemological

9.1. Remote Working (Activity) - Many businesses have shifted to remote work, which has changed the environment of work for many

10. Political

10.1. Local/State Politicians (Stakeholder) - The government has left decision-making largely up to state and local government, resulting in a variation in methods taken to combat Covid-19

10.2. World Health Organization (Stakeholder) - Driven by political drivers because their initial assessment of the outbreak determined many responses taken by nations around the world

10.3. Interview 1 (Data Collection Technique) - "I hope people… listen to a strong leader." In this interview, my interviewee considers who can influence people to act accordingly during this crisis. While they don’t stray into specifics, they are discussing generally who has jurisdiction.

11. Textual

12. Historical

13. Mythological

13.1. Anti-Quarantine Protests (Activity) - Recently, people have been protesting social distancing policies, with large emphasis that Covid-19 is a narrative pushed on the nation, and numbers are being exaggerated to keep them at home; especially prevalent in Michigan, these movements are somewhat based on fiction

14. STS Questions

14.1. How have the marginalized in society been affected by this crisis?

14.2. What are the long term non-physical harms that could be caused by social distancing?

14.3. What are the long lasting societal implications for a nation in quarantine?