From Vulnerable Health Habitus to Tough Health Habitus Against Covid-19 in Inang-Inang at The Traditional Markets in Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

The term, 'inang-inang pasar' is referred to Bataknese market female vendors who sell basic commodities in the traditional urban markets. They have the image of hard working and tough vendors who fight against poverty in towns. Their activities as vendors in traditional markets indicate their strategic role of women as the agents of economic resilience and the agents of health security in their families. Here, their toughness in supporting their families by being vendors at Sembada traditional market, Medan. However, their toughness becomes a dilemma caused by Covid-19 pandemic. In this case, the government implement prokes (health protocol) from 3Ms to 5 Ms (wearing masks, washing hands, doing social distancing, avoiding crowd, and staying home), including in the area of the traditional markets where they sell their merchandise. The Prokes of Covid-19 in traditional markets have caused various responses from them. The reality is that they have not been ready to practice the policy on this 5 M Prokes since most of them lack of awareness of adhering to it due to the vulnerable of their health habitus. It seems that they can become the carriers and local transmitters of Covid-19. This situation worsens their condition and the people surrounding them such as their own family members. Keywords: Habitus, Covid-19, Inang-Inang, Traditional Market