In the Middle East, social distancing due to coronavirus is the preserve of the privileged

With the populations of Libya, Yemen and Syria unable to participate in even the most basic of preventative care, there are no safety nets, writes Bel Trew

Virus fight: Syrian children look on as the White Helmets disinfect a former school building in Binnish (AFP)

Social distancing is a luxury many cannot afford.

That was the subject of a stark post written by an Indian doctor that has made the rounds of social media this week.

It highlighted the plight of the most vulnerable, as millions of daily wage workers in India desperately try to make the several-hundred-kilometre journey back home to their villages for a three-week lockdown.

Here in the Middle East, the spectre of the coronavirus – and the lockdowns and preventative measures that are trying to outrun it – loom across the war-ravaged horizons like a cruel joke.

The galling truth is, despite the financial fears, depression and anxiety lockdowns may cause, being able to participate in one in any capacity is a privilege.

How can you self-isolate if your home was demolished? How can you wash your hands to “Happy Birthday” if you have no water? Or when half your country’s medical facilities – or supplies – have been wiped out?

This week, I have been speaking to medics across the frontlines of Libya, Yemen, and Syria who are prepping themselves for the inevitable outbreak of the disease.

All of them are terrifyingly under-resourced, scrabbling to make do with what they have.

One medic in Tripoli told me they’ve donated their gloves and masks to hospitals for the coronavirus outbreak, even though they now have to treat war injuries that may be coupled with Covid-19.

Health officials in northwest Syria told me the pitifully small number of ventilators available are all already being used, so they have zero capacity for a coronavirus outbreak.

In Yemen, doctors who have been fighting famine for years say there is no way they can protect themselves against coronavirus, let alone their patients.

With the populations of these places unable to participate in even the most basic of preventative care – like social distancing – there are no safety nets.

The impact of the virus outbreak will ricochet in ways in the Middle East many of us at home in the UK cannot even imagine.

Yours,

Bel Trew

Middle East correspondent