Abstract
This chapter discusses the general impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a global scale. In particular, reference is made to the available data on its direct impacts in terms of extra deaths, and attention is drawn to the relationship between higher excess mortality and low-income countries and notably to marginalised regions and societies. This opens up the debate about the broad spectrum of direct and indirect impacts left by a global pandemic such as COVID-19 worldwide, but also its different and specific impact on local regions and communities. The overall picture painted by the case studies presented in this volume points to the worsening of existing inequalities and the particular vulnerability of marginalised regions and communities to crises such as COVID-19 and their further marginalisation in social and economic terms. Drawn from the case studies presented in the book the chapter highlights the importance of resilience, responsiveness, adaptability, and the strength of local communities in times of crisis, as well as the potential to find new ways to overcome marginalisation. The chapter also presents some lessons learnt from the study of geographic perspectives of global pandemics and the marginalisation process.