Everyday mobility practices and the ethics of care: young women’s reflections on social responsibility in the time of COVID-19 in three African cities

This paper draws principally from COVID-19 diaries written by young women whom we had previously trained as peer researchers in a mobility study of low-income neighbourhoods Abuja, Cape Town and Tunis. Some live with parents or older extended family members, others have children their care, but concerns around avoiding contagion forced all to reflect on everyday socio-spatial practices. includes whether/how much they need travel can substitute virtual for physical travel; which transport mode take when; what precautions must the move; strategies engagement are required cope externally imposed rules contingencies – potential impact negotiations, decisions experiences health those dear them at home. Reflections these pandemic-induced responsibilities range social distancing mask wearing issues handling cash, modes greeting funerals. The personal interpretations responsibility that reported individual point complexity entanglements between practices city streets negotiated relations care within household (and other relational settings) emerged deepened COVID story unfolds.