Abstract

Using first-hand data collected from interviews with 21 coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-positive participants in a public quarantine facility in Quezon City, the largest city in the Philippines, this research aims to uncover the ways in which features of the neoliberal agenda shape experiences of resource-poor COVID-19 positive individuals, influence the decisions they make, and mediate their interactions with actors in relative positions of advantage and power. The first part and second part lay the foundation for neoliberalism as the main lens of analysis and situate this current conjuncture within the Philippine political economy. The third looks at COVID-19 testing, and how testing is accessed and experienced by the participants in public health settings. The fourth part examines quarantine arrangements and explores the experiences of COVID-19 patients in a public quarantine facility from the point of entry until they are allowed to go home. The last part – drawing on the data of the first and second parts – reflects on the aspects of neoliberalism that impede an inclusive, pro-poor and humane response to the pandemic.

摘要

本研究使用从菲律宾最大城市奎松市公共检疫设施的 21 名冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 阳性参与者采访中收集的第一手数据，旨在揭示新自由主义议程的特征塑造资源匮乏的 COVID-19 阳性个体的经验，影响他们做出的决定，并调解他们与处于优势和权力相对位置的行为者的互动。第一部分和第二部分奠定了新自由主义作为主要分析视角的基础，并将当前形势置于菲律宾政治经济中。第三部分着眼于 COVID-19 测试，以及公共卫生环境中的参与者如何访问和体验测试。第四部分检查隔离安排，并探讨 COVID-19 患者在公共隔离设施中从入境点到获准回家的经历。最后一部分——借鉴第一和第二部分的数据——反映了新自由主义阻碍对这一流行病采取包容、扶贫和人道应对措施的各个方面。