Experience Report: A Community Approach During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

IntroductionThe slum areas present precariousness in terms of habitation, high populational concentration, lack of sanitary infrastructure, violence, and lack of water supply. This scenario makes it difficult the caring to prevent COVID-19 contamination. Belo Horizonte, like other Brazilian capital cities, presents this scenario, which calls society's attention.ObjectiveExperience report made by Nursing academics who took basic food baskets to a slum during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSocial action by three Nursing students who collected and delivered basic food baskets to a community in Belo Horizonte. It became an opportunity to social assistance and to the understanding of how these slum dwellers face COVID-19. A local leader prepared a list of families facing vulnerable situation. These families received the baskets. At the time of the deliveries, there was an opportunity to answer some doubts about COVID-19 and health.ResultsThe dwellers moved around on the streets without masks, maybe because of lack of resources. The dwellings did not favor social distancing and hygiene care. There were small rooms, excess of people, little ventilation, and deficient sanitation conditions. The people who were infected with the virus suffered retaliation because the other people were afraid of COVID-19 transmission. The infected people became cloistered at home to avoid the community retaliation. Everyone thanked the delivery of basic food baskets saying that this delivery would be a relief during the pandemic.ConclusionsBy observation and contact with the dwellers, it was possible to notice the scarcity of resources and the need of financial and informational help about COVID-19 and other health topics. The basic food basket donation was relevant to the families, but the number of donations did not supply the local necessity. Other social and governmental actions are needed to promote local health.Key messages Financial aid from the government must be implemented so that people on the street can have the basics to survive.Government support and an example model is important for the population to follow as a reference. Our current government has not been a good example, leading to chaos in public and private health.