PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY COVID-19 IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CABULA-BEIRU SANITARY DISTRICT: STRATEGIES OF ACTIONS THAT PROVIDE SOCIAL ISOLATION

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all populations in the world, leading to the death of over 1,178,475 people and has infected another 44,888,869 by October 2020. A disproportionate effect caused by Sars-CoV-2 stems from social inequalities. In Brazil, where the pandemic has different effects in the suburbs, favelas and in the interior of the country, it reveals the great difference between social classes. The Cabula-Beirú Sanitary District nº 9 encompasses communities that face these inequalities. Objective:  To enable the social isolation of families in the Cabula-Beirú Sanitary District nº 9 through social actions developed by UNEB teachers. Method: A group of four professors invited students, other professors and civil servants to participate in a voluntary extension project, with face-to-face and off-site activities between May and September 2020. Results: There was 25 members joining the group, including teachers, students and technical servers. Most of them chose to act remotely, claiming to belong to a risk group facing the pandemic. Differents donation campaigns through drive thru were developed to collect food, cleaning materials, clothes and shoes, and used oil, in addition to financial donations. Donations in cash (62%) and conducting a drive thru (32%) proved to be effective strategies, as they led 94% of donations. Social networks were essential tools in the development of the project for collecting donations, dissemination and feedback on actions. UNEB's inter-sector and inter-institutional articulations made the project feasible. Conclusion: 165 families were covered, 10.5 tons were distributed in food baskets, cleaning kits and hygiene material, 1,500 masks, 300 units of ecological soap, 150 educational booklets. The project was maintained in an assistencialist nature for 5 months.