Objectives for this topic

to identify individual, local, national and global perspectives on restrictions used to prevent the spread of infection; and the reasons why these may be different.

Introduction

In this topic, you will learn to explain individual, local, national and global perspectives on the restrictions put in place to control the spread of Covid-19 during the pandemic.

Working through your coursebook

Complete activity 1.1 on page 220 of the textbook. In this activity, you will consider what lessons you think the Covid-19 pandemic has taught individuals and governments.

Read and complete activities 1.7 and 1.9 on pages 226-227 of the textbook. These pages will help you further develop your evaluation skills and spot fake news.

The wearing of masks was introduced in many countries in an effort to control the spread of the virus. In some countries, it became law to wear a mask in some settings.

WARNING: DO NOT do the experiment at the end of the following video without an adult’s supervision.

WATCH - What’s Behind the Mask? A Denier’s Perspective (YouTube)

1. What were the two perspectives of masks shown in the video?
2. What was the cause of the difference in perspectives in this case?
3. What do you think would be the perspective on masks of a person who owns a factory which produces masks? Why?

Below are a list of other restrictions which were imposed on people around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not seeing family
Not leaving the home unless for food or medical reasons
Schools closing
Restaurants closing
Non-essential shops closing
Countries closing their borders
People were told to work from home
Visits to hospitals and care homes were banned
Social distancing

1. What is social distancing? Give two different perspectives on social distancing and possible reasons for these differences.

b. The restrictions affected different people in different ways due to economics, culture or beliefs.

Identify those below as having an individual, a local, a national or a global perspective.

1. A restaurant owner
2. A farmer
3. A supermarket shop worker
4. A flight attendant
5. An office worker with two small children
6. Someone who is in hospital or lives in a care home
7. A hospital
8. A government
9. WHO (World Health Organisation)

What do you think the different perspectives may be on the restrictions brought in during the pandemic for each of those listed above? Give reasons for your ideas.

Research the perspectives on some of the restrictions that were introduced in your country. Use pages 224-225 of the textbook to help you consider which would be the best research methods for this. Why are there differences? Can you construct a survey to ask local people how the restrictions impacted them? Revisit pages 58-59 to recap how to construct a survey.

Read the information on page 230 and complete activity 1.14 on page 231 of the textbook.

Review

Write down two things to check about a source when considering its reliability.

Write down two different perspectives on the closing of borders to control the pandemic.

Support activity for this topic

Read through pages 8-11 of the textbook to revisit global, national, local and personal perspectives and recap how these can help us to understand an issue.

Extension activity for this topic

Complete the Economics activity on page 232 of the textbook.

Complete the Philosophy activity on page 232 of the textbook.

Check your answers

CHECK - Answers to 'What's Behind the Mask?' video questions

CHECK - Answers to perspectives on restrictions

(Please note that these are a guide and may not match your own - that is fine as long as you have justified your perspective.)