This study is based on data generated online which covered all socio-economic groups and all districts of the country. It can be considered representative of the vast online population, and it is believed that the patterns exposed would find strong resonance in the wider population as well. The survey was conducted during the period of the ‘general holiday’ in Bangladesh which is euphemistically a reference to lockdown. It estimates that 10 percent of the population displayed COVID-19 type symptoms and 1 percent had comorbidities. We also noted that urban residents, divorcees, and members belonging to large households faced greater risk while higher incomes usually corresponded with reduced risk. Shocks to income were substantial, with nearly 50 percent reporting income flows halted for younger age groups while this was about a third for older groups. In terms of coping ability this was seen to be weak. We also noted that there was considerable awareness of good practices like handwashing and social distancing. While ordinary people tried hard to fight back, their means were limited, indicating that for a poor country, a longer-term lockdown would be untenable. 

Authors:

K A S Murshid, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies

Tanveer Mahmood, Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies

Nahian Azad, Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies

A R Sarker, Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies