Gig workers: unsung heroes and a strategic role in the UK national response to the COVID-19 pandemic

家庭隔离和封锁对于防止传染病传播是必要的，我们的许多基本需求都是由平台公司和送货工人提供的。这一部门通过保持后勤运作以及提供服务和用品，在加强感染控制措施和减少公众焦虑方面发挥着至关重要的作用。越来越多的轶事证据表明，零工工人是无名英雄，应该得到更多的关注和保护。我们的目标是了解零工是如何通过增加对家庭的递送来抑制传播的，重点是递送工人。此外，我们认为，如果不提供足够的职业健康保护，它们可能成为一种传播途径。我们将进行焦点小组，并与行业参与者和送货人员进行访谈，以收集有关送货量和送货模式的数据。然后，我们将使用数学模型来确定快递部门如何有助于将疾病传播的风险降至最低，以及在新冠肺炎大流行期间为保护工人和降低感染风险而采取的额外措施的影响。这一结果将为英国在社会距离和供应链协调方面的政策制定提供参考，作为国家应对措施的关键组成部分。

Home-isolation and lockdown are necessary for preventing infectious disease transmission, with many of our basic needs provided by platform companies and delivery workers. This sector plays a vital role in reinforcing the infection control measures and reducing public anxiety by keeping logistics functioning and services and supplies available. Mounting anecdotal evidence suggests that gig workers are unsung heroes and deserve more attention and protection. We aim to understand how gig workers, with a focus on delivery workers, have contributed to suppressing transmission by increased delivery to households. In addition, we consider the possibility that they could become a route of transmission if adequate occupational health protection is not provided. We will conduct focus groups and interviews with industry participants and delivery workers to collect data on the volume and pattern of deliveries. We will then use mathematical models to determine how the delivery sector contributes to minimising the risk of spreading the disease and the impact of additional measures to protect the workers and reduce infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome will inform the UK’s policy making in social distancing and coordination of supply chains as a key component of national response.