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COVID in the Islands: A comparative perspective on the Caribbean and the Pacific pp 1–39Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Introduction: COVID-19 and Small Island States

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated development challenges in Caribbean and Pacific island states even where islands were untouched by the virus. Borders quickly closed but underfunded and resourced health systems struggled. Islands with global connections experienced higher mortality rates. Falling incomes, especially after tourism collapsed, led to reduced access to health care. States sought to balance reviving economic development while minimising mortality. Attempts to revive tourism through ‘corridors’ were inadequate. Remittances grew after an initial dip. Social media usefully provided information on COVID-19 and connected kin. Urban unemployment and food security increased, many people returned to rural areas, re-engaging in agriculture and fishing. Local social groups coped by drawing on traditional practices such as bartering. Governments were relied upon to quickly design appropriate social and economic policies.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Sophie Webber for her helpful comments on an earlier version of this Introduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

    Yonique Campbell

  2. School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    John Connell

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  1. Yonique Campbell
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Correspondence to Yonique Campbell .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

    Yonique Campbell

  2. School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    John Connell

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Campbell, Y., Connell, J. (2021). Introduction: COVID-19 and Small Island States. In: Campbell, Y., Connell, J. (eds) COVID in the Islands: A comparative perspective on the Caribbean and the Pacific. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5285-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5285-1_1

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