As COVID-19 continues to spread across country borders, it is impossible to ignore the myriad ways in which the pandemic’s impact has spread across nearly all aspects of life. Rapid changes in health care, employment, and education are only the tip of the iceberg with regards to the challenges that our global community is now facing. As we mobilize to confront these challenges both now and in the long term, it is important to recognize the role that social workers can and must play in this unprecedented crisis. 

 

While the term “social worker” is often associated with child protective workers or clinical therapists, social work is a field that covers broad swaths of our societies. Social workers can be found in schools, healthcare facilities, prisons, nonprofit organizations, and governmental institutions. As such, social workers are already embedded in the systems that are most needed in the COVID-19 response. Some of the issues that have been amplified by the pandemic - food insecurity, access to health care, child abuse, homelessness, intimate partner violence - are the very issues which social workers are experts in addressing. In times of crisis, it is critical to include these experts and leaders who are familiar with the communities and issues at hand.

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 In addition to being key players in the systems that are involved in the COVID-19 response, social workers also have relevant skill sets that can and must be utilized to promote a just and equitable response. On the individual level, social workers are well-versed in connecting clients with the resources they need, whether that entails a referral, an appointment, or in-kind necessities. On the macro level, social workers are also skilled in the development and analysis of policies that advocate for the most vulnerable groups, which will be critical as societies grapple with the far-reaching impact of the pandemic. Perhaps most importantly, social workers are skilled in developing rapport and providing trustworthy information - a critical need in our current context of rampant disinformation.

 

Considering the disparate impact that the pandemic has on underserved populations - the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-income individuals, to name a few - social workers must be utilized for their focus on addressing inequities and promoting social justice. A commitment to justice and equity is often mandated by a social work code of ethics, depending on the council or association in a given country. While the local, national, and global responses to COVID-19 are undoubtedly complex, we cannot afford to forget those that do not have a seat at the policy making table. Social workers are trained to advocate for those whose voices may not be heard at the highest levels, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that all people are included and cared for in a time of crisis.

 

While COVID-19 continues to affect communities the world over, there has never been a more important time to ensure that basic needs are met, marginalized voices are heard, and human rights are protected. Social workers can and must be included in the response to COVID-19 to support and lift up the individuals, families, and communities most impacted by the pandemic.