The FSP suggests that some groups have suffered more heavily from the pandemic and its associated effects
Translated by Thomas Ansell
The Fries Sociaal Planbureau (FSP) has released analysis explaining that young adults, flex-workers, self-employed people; and the elderly have borne the brunt of the Coronavirus pandemic. The research is the second probe into the social effects of the virus led by the FSP, reports the Omrop Fryslân. The Veiligheidsregio Fryslân has said that it will take the new findings into account as it works against the ongoing pandemic.
Arjen Brander, one of the researchers involved, said: “how can we ensure that these groups no longer bear the most pressure? That’s the most important question; certainly now that the crisis is moving into the long-term.”
Attitudes revealed in the research show that lots of Frisian residents are worried about work; especially those with uncertain flex or zero-hour contracts, and self-employed people. Only 9 percent of those surveyed with an open-ended contract were similarly worried.
Elder people are mainly suffering from loneliness- almost 10 percent of those over 70 said that they felt very lonely. Those that help care for elderly people are suffering, too, with one in three caregivers nearing burnout according to figures released by the CNV union on Tuesday.
One bright point of the research suggests that social solidarity in the Province has increased: with more and more people helping their neighbours and/or those in need. Around 17 percent of people in the Province have helped others out with household tasks, or doing groceries. However the report does warn that social cohesion suffers the longer that tight public health restrictions remain in place.
Trust in the government has fallen too, says the FSP, although it is still higher than before the Coronavirus outbreak. More and more people are becoming worried about the economy, too, especially regarding work and income: one stark difference is that more younger people distrust the government, possibly due to the hammering that their opportunities in work, housing, and advancement have taken.
The FSP’s research was carried out in September and October, and used a representative sample of 6,000 Frisian residents aged over 18. About 2,700 people answered the survey.
