COVID-19 and Informal Settlements: an urgent call to rethink

Coronaviruses (Covid-19) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. The assessment of Covid-19 and informal settlements has remained relevant since it effect both human and it immediate environment and the world at large. The paper explores the concept of covid-19, settlements, informal settlements, characteristics of informal settlements, reduces risk factor for covid-19 in informal settlements, tackling covid-19 in informal Settlements and explains further Rio de Janeiro, Brazil case of covid-19. Suggestions from the paper that the government at all levels should provide adequate and functional amenities such as pipe borne water, health care facilities (testing skits), sanitation, soap, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and overall personal protective equipment. Portable hand washing stations are critical in informal settlements. It brought to bear that cities must be empowered to assume stronger leadership in coordination roles and to take on responsibilities for health and security and the governance and management of public and urban affairs. They need to do all this with strong participation of all actors. This paper will help researchers, scholars, government, planners as well as related authorities to understand the concept of covid-19 and informal settlements, its effects and proffer ways to control and mitigate the trend of the viruses.