The Need for Social Workers in a Global Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China in December 2019, spread across the globe, and has since taken a toll on the American economy, healthcare and mental health. When lockdowns began in March 2020, the American economy struggled as businesses began to close, people were furloughed from their jobs, and financial hardships began to trickle throughout the nation. Healthcare professionals worked endlessly on the frontlines to fight the pandemic with limited personal protective equipment, and faced moral dilemmas when dealing with such a high number of COVID-19 patients that they could not provide equal care to everyone. Healthcare inequity has also been a significant problem for minorities who are disproportionately impacted by the virus. This inequity remains constant through vaccine distribution as fewer minorities remain vaccinated than White Americans. Social workers can combat these issues, as well as the mental health crisis that has arisen as a result of social isolation and fear, and advocate for those struggling financially, emotionally, and for adaptive measures in healthcare. The Council on Social Work Education has released surveys showing increased interest in the social work field which is extremely important to ensure resources and programs are provided to the American people to overcome this multidimensional public health emergency