Modern slavery and labor exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a conceptual model.

BACKGROUND: Modern slavery is a complex global health problem that includes forced labor exploitation. An ecological systems perspective is needed to understand how contextual upstream and midstream factors contribute to labor exploitation, and how disruptive societal challenges, such as infectious disease pandemics, may exacerbate established pathways leading to exploitation. Accumulation of familial and societal risk factors likely heightens vulnerability; for instance, economic precarity for an individual interacts with poor livelihood options and lack of social welfare supports increasing their likelihood of accepting exploitative labor. However, few frameworks exist that account for the accumulation of and interdependence between risk factors at different levels and across contexts. OBJECTIVE: Using an ecological systems framework, we review literature on the pathways leading to labor exploitation, with the aim of developing a conceptual model grounded in existing research. Next, we discuss how pathways in this conceptual model are likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This conceptual model can guide future research to detect modifiable factors and strategic points of intervention. METHODS: A critical review of research articles and gray literature was performed with a primary focus on sub-Saharan Africa. The review utilized various scholarly databases to identify perspectives from multiple disciplines and to more fully account for complex processes linked to labor exploitation. RESULTS: A conceptual model of these pathways was developed that emphasizes established determinants and risk factors for labor exploitation in sub-Saharan Africa. The model highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated these pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should carefully examine the direct and indirect pathways, accumulation of and interactions between factors, and specific external and personal stressors. Interdisciplinary research on multilevel interventions is needed to guide solutions to prevent the persistent problem of labor exploitation.

The archetype of the apocalypse. Analysing the pandemics of racism, COVID-19 and climate change.

What we are witnessing in the present time in human history, in the 2020's, is a vortex of intersecting pandemics - jolting revelations that are unfolding with a terrific energy and force - so much so that we cannot ignore them or escape them. These include the world-wide pandemics of racism, COVID-19 and climate change. This paper argues that all of these swirling pandemics are manifestations of the archetype of the apocalypse, which is constellating now in a very powerful way. Any one of these phenomena could swallow humanity whole as a species. Together they represent a seemingly overwhelming challenge for us to meet over the next century of life on earth. If humanity cannot meet the challenge of these combined negative forces, it could simply perish. A multi-layered intersecting set of challenges such as this has never yet occurred in human history. We must therefore be very alert to what is going on, and as to how we can consciously mediate these threats, both individually and collectively. It also presents an unprecedented opportunity for humanity to evolve and grow psychologically both individually and collectively, nationally and globally.

Ce dont nous sommes témoins à l'heure actuelle dans l'histoire de l'humanité, dans les années 2020, est un vortex de pandémies qui s'entrecroisent - des révélations choquantes qui se déploient avec une énergie et une force formidables - tellement que l'on ne peut les ignorer ou leur échapper. Cela inclue la pandémie mondiale de racisme, la COVID-19, et le changement climatique. Cet article soutient que toutes ces pandémies tourbillonnantes sont des manifestations de l'archétype de l'apocalypse, qui se constelle en ce moment de manière très puissante. Chacun de ces phénomènes pourrait avaler l'humanité toute entière en tant qu'espèce. Ensembles ils représentent un défi apparemment insurmontable auquel nous avons à faire face durant le siècle à venir de la vie sur terre. Si l'humanité ne peut pas faire face au défi de ces forces négatives combinées, elle pourrait tout simplement périr. Un tel ensemble - de défis qui s'entrecroisent sur plusieurs niveaux - ne s'est encore jamais produit dans l'histoire humaine. Ainsi nous devons être très vigilants à ce qui se passe, et à comment nous pouvons consciemment opérer une médiation de ces menaces, à la fois individuellement et collectivement. Cela représente également une opportunité sans précédent pour que l'humanité évolue et grandisse psychologiquement à la fois individuellement et collectivement, au niveau de la nation et globalement.

Lo que estamos atestiguando en el presente de la historia humana, en el año 2020, es un vórtice de pandemias entrecruzadas - revelaciones que sacuden y se despliegan con tremenda fuerza y energía - tanto que no podemos ignorarlas ni escapar de éstas. Estas incluyen la pandemia mundial del racismo, el COVID-19 y el cambio climático. El presente trabajo argumenta que todas estas turbulentas pandemias son manifestaciones del arquetipo del apocalipsis, el cual se está constelando en la actualidad de manera poderosa. Cualquiera de estos fenómenos podría tragarse a la humanidad entera como especie. Juntas representen un aparentemente abrumador desafío para nosotros, a confrontar durante el próximo siglo de vida en la tierra. Si la humanidad no puede afrontar los desafíos de estas fuerzas negativas combinadas, podría simplemente perecer. Nunca ha ocurrido en la historia humana, una intersección de desafíos como éstos, en múltiples niveles. Tenemos que estar muy alertas respecto a lo que está pasando, y sobre cómo podemos conscientemente mediar estas amenazas, ambas individual y colectivamente. También presenta una oportunidad sin precedentes para que la humanidad pueda evolucionar y crecer psicológicamente, tanto individual, como colectivamente, nacional y globalmente.

Brazil: hate and intolerance in times of pandemic in a mixed-race country.

This paper intends to analyse the current political and social situation in Brazil and show how this context has influenced the management of the public health crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, the authors conducted an investigation into Brazil's historical roots, which have not only engendered deep class differences but, also, social psychopathologies such as dissociation and perversion. Finally, this paper presents a symbolic analysis of social exclusion and how the mythical figure of Sophia can inspire a renewed movement of inclusion and tolerance.

Cet article se propose d'analyser la situation politique et sociale actuelle au Brésil et de montrer comment ce contexte a influencé la gestion de la crise sanitaire publique générée par la COVID-19. Dans ce but, les autrices ont conduit une enquête approfondie sur les racines historiques du Brésil, racines qui ont engendré non seulement de profondes différences de classes mais également des psychopathologies sociales, telles la dissociation et la perversion. Cet article présente en conclusion une analyse symbolique de l'exclusion sociale et montre comment le personnage mythique de Sophia peut inspirer un mouvement renouvelé d'inclusion et de tolérance.

El presente trabajo intenta analizar la situación actual política y social en Brasil y muestra como este contexto ha influenciado el manejo de la crisis de la salud pública generada por la pandemia del COVID-19. A este fin, las autoras llevaron a cabo una investigación sobre las raíces históricas de Brasil, las cuales, no solamente han generado profundas diferencias de clase, sino también psicopatologías sociales como disociación y perversión. Finalmente, el presente trabajo presenta un análisis simbólico de la exclusión social y cómo la figura mítica de Sophia puede inspirar un movimiento renovador de inclusión y tolerancia.

Plantation Politics, Paranoia, and Public Health on the Frontlines of America's COVID-19 Response.

"Plantation politics" pervade multiple institutions in the United States, including public health. Drawing from my experience working as a volunteer at drive-thru COVID testing sites in the United States, I critically examine the relationship between public health, the military, and capitalism when racial slavery serves as the sociopolitical backdrop of everyday life. I ponder what it means for Black people to toil for a country, in the midst of an emergent communicable disease outbreak, that would weeks later launch into protests for and debates about their entitlements to freedom, safety, and security. Starting from experiences of Black women on the frontlines, I reveal complexities that underlie and undermine notions of care as altruistic, natural, or ethical "in the wake" of chattel slavery and in the midst of racial capitalism.