Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Smith, Laurie

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pandemic that hit the United States recently in early 2020 affecting individuals with regards to behavior, healthcare, education, recreation and social interaction, and employment and economic impact. The purpose of this study was to survey San Bernardino residents to identify, describe, and evaluate the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on their lives to understand their needs and to plan for future pandemics. This exploratory study used a qualitative method to collect data from 12 respondents in video interviews. A major finding was that, regarding behavior, most if not all participants had behavior changes to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. A second major finding, in the area of healthcare, was that eight participants reported a negative change in mental health, three reported a positive change, and one participant reported no change. It was found that all interviewees and/or their family members were impacted with educational changes, a transition from in-person classes to virtual learning. A major implication of this study is that social workers can become more aware of the ways in which individuals were affected by the pandemic, which will allow socials workers to better assist individuals. The findings of this research will guide systems, such as schools and employment agencies, to be prepared, such as better management of funding, providing adequate personnel training, and ensuring everyone’s health, mental health, and safety in a pandemic.

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