The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, has infected people in 212 countries so far and on every continent except Antarctica. Vast changes to our home lives, social interactions, government functioning and relations between countries have swept the world in a few months and are difficult to hold in one’s mind at one time. That is why a collaborative effort such as this edited, multidisciplinary collection is needed. This book confronts the vulnerabilities and interconnectedness made visible by the pandemic and its consequences, along with the legal, ethical and policy responses. These include vulnerabilities for people who have been harmed or will be harmed by the virus directly and those harmed by measures taken to slow its relentless march; vulnerabilities exposed in our institutions, governance and legal structures; and vulnerabilities in other countries and at the global level where persistent injustices harm us all. Hopefully, COVID-19 will forces us to deeply reflect on how we govern and our policy priorities; to focus preparedness, precaution, and recovery to include all, not just some. Published in English with some chapters in French.

Drawing from many disciplinary areas, this edited volume explores how the Coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately harmed vulnerable and marginalized people in the U.S. Chapters address harm to people of color that exacerbated structural racism and harm to low-wage workers that highlighted existing inequalities. In addition, the volume provides strategies that have been successful in mitigating these harms and recommendations for a post- pandemic more peaceful and just future.

COVID-19 is not the only global challenge that the world is facing these days. The infodemic, based on the pandemic (COVID-19), is another serious challenge for the world at this time. Each flare-up is joined with a large volume of data and information; however, this data can be based on deception, gossip, rumors, and more. Misinformation not only impacts the human body negatively but also impacts mental health. The infodemic has an impact on human health and professional performance, but also leaks into business organizations in terms of financial matters, employees' psychological and physical health, employee performance, and the organization’s performance. The misinformation regarding health issues can disturb business organizations and affect the employees, organizations’ market share and financial matters, future firing and hiring policies of the organizations, and international operations of the companies. Though the COVID-19 pandemic may be over in time, the impact of the relevant infodemic will continue to disrupt business organizations for several years into the future. Impact of Infodemic on Organizational Performance highlights the impact of the infodemic due to the pandemic (COVID-19) in organizations’ performance and enhances the understanding of how the infodemic can and has negatively impacted employees as well as organizational performance. This is supplemented by a view of how organizations are tackling the infodemic and how business organizations can recover from the lasting negative impacts. This book highlights essential topics such as social media, knowledge management, business environments, business strategies, employee behavior, and mental health. The target audience includes but is not limited to managers, executives, human resource development, counselors, analysts, business organizations, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in the impacts of the infodemic on businesses and their employees and the relevant strategies to combat the effects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the nation's K-12 education system. The rush to slow the spread of the virus led to closures of schools across the country, with little time to ensure continuity of instruction or to create a framework for deciding when and how to reopen schools. States, districts, and schools are now grappling with the complex and high-stakes questions of whether to reopen school buildings and how to operate them safely if they do reopen. These decisions need to be informed by the most up-to-date evidence about the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19; about the impacts of school closures on students and families; and about the complexities of operating school buildings as the pandemic persists. Reopening K-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prioritizing Health, Equity, and Communities provides guidance on the reopening and operation of elementary and secondary schools for the 2020-2021 school year. The recommendations of this report are designed to help districts and schools successfully navigate the complex decisions around reopening school buildings, keeping them open, and operating them safely.

The Psychology of Covid-19 explores how the coronavirus is giving rise to a new order in our personal lives, societies and politics. Rooted in systematic research on Covid-19 and previous pandemics, including SARS, Ebola, HIV and the Spanish Flu, this book describes how Covid-19 has impacted a broad range of domains, including self-perception, lifestyle, politics, mental health, media, and meaning in life. Building on this, the book then sets out how we can improve our psychological and social resilience, to safeguard ourselves against the psychological effects of future pandemics.

Risk has emerged as a key mechanism for controlling the future and learning from past misfortunes. How did risk influence policy makers’ responses to COVID-19? How will they be judged for their decisions? Drawing on case studies from the UK, China, Japan, New Zealand and the US, this original text explores policy responses to COVID-19 through the lens of risk. The book considers how different countries framed the pandemic, categorised their populations and communicated risk. It also evaluates the role of the media, conspiracy theories and hindsight in shaping responses to COVID-19. As we reflect on the ‘first wave’, this book offers a vital resource for anticipating future responses to crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life globally through virus-related mortality and morbidity and the social and economic impacts of actions taken to stop the virus’ spread. It became evident early on during the pandemic that older adults are especially vulnerable to morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, and the adverse consequences of strategies taken to mitigate its effects. While no more likely to become infected than younger populations, the risk for hospitalization and death rises considerably with age. Residents of long-term care facilities have been among the hardest hit. The pandemic has brought many facets of ageism to the fore. Community stay-at-home messages, lockdowns, social distancing requirements, and visitation restrictions contributed to a concomitant epidemic in social isolation and loneliness. Economic and social impacts have been dramatic; so too has been the disproportionate hardship experienced by members of racial and ethnic minority communities. This book reports original empirical research and perspectives on the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the older adult population, and draws lessons for policy, research, and practice. Key issues pertaining to the impact of COVID-19 on older adults and their families, caregivers, and communities are highlighted. Four main areas are examined: personal experiences with COVID-19; long-term care system impacts; end-of-life care; and technology and innovation. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy.