Researchers have proposed a simple index of lockdown readiness which identifies the share of households that could feasibly shelter at home for a prolonged period of time. Using Mozambique as a case study, the lockdown readiness index suggests a need for more inventive adaptation of public health policies, not blind adoption from elsewhere. Based on the 10% sample of Mozambique’s 2017 housing and population census the following five variable were considered. Three are the same as in the first list – access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and electricity in the household. The other two we adapted to: having a phone in the household; and someone in the household having regular (formal) employment. According to our index, it would only be immediately feasible to lock down around 6% of all Mozambican households, corresponding to 16% of Mozambique’s urban households and just 1% of rural ones.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION