ABSTRACT
The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond the direct health consequences to negative social, economic and wider health impacts. Integrating community engagement should be an integral pillar of national responses to strengthen countries’ ability to mitigate these negative consequences. We present lessons from rapid qualitative research early in the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, aimed at understanding community and health worker perspectives on COVID-19 and policy responses. We conducted phone interviews with community-based organisations (n=4) and healthcare workers (n=16), and collected information from social media and news outlets related to COVID-19. We conducted thematic analysis and present results around four themes. 1) Individuals are overloaded with information, but lack trusted sources, with consequences of widespread fear and unanswered questions. 2) Policies of social distancing are disconnected to communities’ ability to follow such measures, without access at home to water, long-term food supplies, or a daily income. 3) Healthcare workers perceived themselves to be vulnerable, due to a shortage of personal protective equipment, contributing to ongoing strikes. 4) Health implications beyond COVID-19 are expected to be wide-reaching and severe, as resources are redirected. Our research emphasises the importance of listening to community perspectives and accounting for context-specific realities to design locally appropriate and effective responses to COVID-19. Communities require support with basic needs and reliable information to enable them to follow prevention measures. Healthcare workers urgently need personal 3 protective equipment. Lastly, continued provision of essential services and medication is essential in reducing excess mortality and morbidity from conditions other than COVID-19.