Entanglements of affect, space, and evidence in pandemic healthcare: An analysis of Australian healthcare workers' experiences of COVID-19. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams Veazey, Leah; Broom, Alex; Kenny, Katherine; Degeling, Chris; Hor, Suyin; Broom, Jennifer; Wyer, Mary; Burns, Penelope; Gilbert, Gwendolyn L.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 72(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Australia -- Risk -- Affect -- Healthcare workers -- Media; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight both global interconnectedness and schisms across place, context and peoples. While countries such as Australia have securitised their borders in response to the global spread of disease, flows of information and collective affect continue to permeate these boundaries. Drawing on interviews with Australian healthcare workers, we examine how their experiences of the pandemic are shaped by affect and evidence 'traveling' across time and space. Our analysis points to the limitations of global health crisis responses that focus solely on material risk and spatial separation. Institutional responses must, we suggest, also consider the affective and discursive dimensions of health-related risk environments. Highlights: COVID-19 has spread across the globe, as have affective responses and knowledge. Australian healthcare workers' perceptions of risk were shaped by events overseas. Media, personal ties, and imaginaries brought fear, empathy and evidence closer. Healthcare workers' felt a sense of belonging to transnational risk communities. Policy responses must go beyond insular focus on securing material borders.