GEOGRAPHY OF POST-MODERNISM: INNOVATIVE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CONFLICT OF COVID-19 INDUCED CULTURE AND IDENTITY IN ALVAN COMMUNITY

Abstract

The imposed use of masks, hand washing and social distancing as icons of identity and adjustment options to Covid-19 safety guidelines have triggered conflict on preexisting culture among students, staff, and visitors in Alvan and allied academic institutions in this post-modern era. This article employed qualitative (discourse) analysis in its methodologies to explore people’s adjustment level to Covid-19 safety guidelines in Alvan community. Field data were generated from 14 respondents purposively sampled for study using structured interview and field observation. The results revealed that the level of compliances to Covid-19 guidelines in the Alvan community varied from very high in 2020 due to the sustained level of awareness/ supports created within and outside, moderate in 2021, to extremely low in 2022. Also, the post-modern adjustment across geographic spaces in Alvan community manifested through the use of face masks, nose masks, hand sanitizers, hand washing, and social distancing. The adjustment has enhanced people’s recognition of the diversities and heterogeneities of personal geographies, thereby bringing to the periphery the past deserted environmental consciousness, sanitation, personal hygiene, and social disorder in the Alvan community. This study concluded that the safety guidelines need to be strictly adhered to while people in the study area enjoy the free vaccine offered to them by government and donor agencies.