Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2022

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Mohammed Bashir Salau

Second Advisor

Neema Loy

Third Advisor

Laura Johnson

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This thesis discusses the similarities and differences in Tanzanian COVID-19 policies implemented by the late President John Pombe Magufuli and his successor, President Samia Suluhu Hassan. It also analyzes the responses of Tanzanian citizens to these different policies as expressed in the media. The conclusions that were made in this thesis are based on qualitative analysis of articles published in Tanzanian-based newspapers during specific time periods surrounding significant policy changes during each presidency. The situation of COVID-19 policies in Tanzania is unique due to the differences in the COVID-19 policies implemented in comparison to those implemented by other countries and also due to the change in leadership in the midst of the pandemic following Magufuli’s tragic death while he was in office. The results of this analysis show that Magufuli and Samia utilized considerably different responses to the pandemic, which Magufuli using a more conservative approach in which citizens choose their individual responses to COVID-19 and Samia using a more involved and scientific approach where citizens are encouraged to follow the recommendations made by the Tanzanian COVID-19 taskforce. Also, this analysis showed that neither president was particularly favored over another in the media, but both presidents received more supportive opinions expressed in the media when they acted in accordance with global health recommendations than when they changed their policies.

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