COVID19 has impacted everyone all around the world. The most vulnerable population who has been impacted financially is the low-income; Black and Hispanic families. “Job losses have left families struggling to pay for necessities like housing, food and medical care, while those who are still employed report difficulty finding childcare” (Jenco, 2020). Many of us know of someone who contracted the virus, others have loss family, or friends from the virus. Not only did families lost family or friends due to the virus but did you know the most vulnerable population has lost their job or work hours have been reduce due to COVID19? “That includes 62% of Hispanic families, 50% of black families and 36.5% of white families” (Jenco, 2020). According to a survey conducted, “One-quarter of families experienced food insecurity, including more than one-third of low-income, black and Hispanic families. Roughly 10.5% of all families were late with their rent or mortgage payment or didn’t pay the full amount, 13% didn’t pay the full amount of their utility bills and 16% had someone go without medical care due to the cost” (Jenco, 2020). COVID19 increased the percent for financial hardships to the most vulnerable populations by, unable to pay for housing/mortgage, loss of employment, funeral cost, unable to pay medical bills, etc.
Access to Funeral Services Due to Legal Status.
The increase of unemployment is impacting the most vulnerable populations but particularly the undocumented immigrants (Hispanic) population. Those families who have lost a family or friend due to COVID19 are having a difficult time accessing funeral services. “Brooklyn’s undocumented immigrants are seeing higher death rates from the novel coronavirus than the general population, and community organizations are having a difficult time navigating the process for burials and cremations — which is compounded by the lack of government support” (Parks, 2020). The Sunset Park councilman’s office has provided support to undocumented immigrants in making funeral arrangements for their deceased family members. But there’s one main barrier. “Non-English speaking families are being subjected to price gouging” (Parks, 2020). For example, other resources such as, Mixteca Organization in Greenwood, Heights is available for families to guide them through the bereavement process as a language barrier. “The city Department of Social Services recently made financial assistance up to $1,700 available for all city dwellers who present a loved one’s valid death certificate, regardless of their immigration status, to help pay for funerals, provided that the total cost of the funeral is less than $3,400” (Parks, 2020).
How can Social Workers Help with Coping with Loss During the COVID19 Pandemic?
Social workers work with clients individually and hand-in-hand when they have experienced or are experiencing a loss. Since the pandemic of COVID19, a lot of individuals have lost family, friends, and paramours due to the virus. Coping with the loss during the pandemic can increase, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Social workers can help reduce these thoughts, by supporting the client or family with their grief. Identifying other resources to ensure the client or family is coping with their loss and are safeguarded from harm. “Examples of loss-oriented activities include the following:
•honoring and validating the loss;
• feeling the feelings, naming the grief;
• facing the crisis;
• sharing the story with others;
• connecting with others in similar situations;
• viewing limited media coverage (enough to be informed);
• journaling; and
• expressing grief reactions through creative outlets (e.g., writing, reading, dance, art, music) “ (Micsky, 2020).
“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our assumptions and the illusions about personal control, illness, death, and what was once considered normal” (Micsky, 2020). Not only are we grieving from a loss of a family or friend, but we must adapt to the loss of homes, employment or illnesses.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post can help you understand how much COVID19 pandemic has impacted the most vulnerable populations. Everyone has been impacted one way or another. But imagine not being able to financial support your love one’s funeral services cost because of your legal status, being unemployed, limited resources, language barriers, etc. The loss of a love one can drastically changes an individual’s life. Please check in on your love ones, friends, or neighbors to ensure they’re safe, they know you are one call or text away if they need anything. If you feel hopeless, depress, or in need to talk to someone.
Please contact the following;
Crisis Response Network: Inspiring Hope
Crisis Line: Crisis Line: (877) 756-4090
TTY/TDD: 711
SMI Determination: (855) 832-2866
OR
Journey Care
Crisis Line: 1-844-6-JOURNEY
(844)-656-8763
References
Jenco, Melissa. (2020). Study: COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hardships for low-income, minority families, APP News, https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/06/03/covid19hardships060320
Parks, Jessica. (2020). Undocumented immigrants face hardship in accessing funeral services during pandemic, amNY, https://www.amny.com/coronavirus/undocumented-immigrants-face-hardship-in-accessing-funeral-services-during-pandemic/
Micsky, Tami. (2020). Uncertain Times — Coping With Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Web Exclusive, https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_042420.shtml
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your impactful post. Your message about "Not only are we grieving from a loss of a family or friend, but we must adapt to the loss of homes, employment or illnesses" really stuck with me. Not only are we having to grieve the loss of family or friends, some of us have also lost their jobs or houses. This pandemic has not only been about people contacting the deadly virus, but also about people having to adapt. First, we had to adapt to quarantine. Then, we had to adapt to the new lifestyle of maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. Change can be hard for many people. This rapid change in lives is also something to grieve.
Thank you,
Taylor Wise
This was an excellent and very jarring post. It is difficult to read about all the loss and uncertainty experienced when it is still occurring. Many people are still getting sick and dying, many people are still struggling financially, and many are attempting to grieve and survive. Black and Hispanic people are experiencing the greatest numbers of deaths and infections. They already have the highest numbers of poverty, disease, and lack of insurance.
ReplyDeleteAs social workers it can be draining to navigate through this, but we have too. Sometimes we can be so caught up in navigating the immediate crisis of sickness and money that we do not allow a space to grieve and process. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing the grief-oriented activities.
With so much happening in society surrounding COVID-19, so many important factors get lost in the shuffle -- like access to funeral services. This is not something I had thought of prior to reading your post, but I feel as if it's an impactful and important topic to discuss. All population groups have been impacted by this pandemic, but low income individuals and families who prior to COVID-19 were still stuck making very difficult choices, have an added layer of stress that should be considered.
ReplyDeleteIt is disheartening that amidst such a devastating time of loss and uncertainty in our country, low income and minority groups are subject to price gouging for funeral services. Thank you for sharing some resources with the group as well!
- Riley Ramirez
DeleteThank you so much for covering this topic! One of my co-workers recently had to attend three consecutive funerals (one of which the family was struggling to find funds for) and it was such a hard time for her. I think that with COVID, we are not covering or looking into "grief" as much as we should be because it makes others uncomfortable. I think that the financial part about these families is that they are seriously struggling plus COVID and life in general. Funerals have also changed during COVID where families cannot stay there but rather walk throughs. It is such a difficult time for everyone, but it does need to be talked about. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI really so appreciate this post! You advocate for those who have been impacted by Covid-19 and educated us on how it has led to so many financial barriers so thousands of families. In my community alone, I have see so many locate business shut down, have had familiar members who have been unemployed, and left with reduced hours worked. Being able to look at the statistics that you have provided has only made me realize exactly how big this issue truly is.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why as social workers, we need to continue to advocate and educate our communities with resources. Connecting them with programs and organizations that are able to help them throughout these hardships.
Thank you so much for such a great topic!
^^^^ Ashley Perez
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis post was very insightful and appreciated. Tomorrow is Election Day and this hits home with many households who are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety on their future. COVID 19 has had no limits in where is it influencing in our communities. I like how you mentioned how social workers can advise their clients to limit their media coverage. This is something I think many people are guilty of because when they turn on the news channel, the headlines can read very stressful topic involving COVID 19. Things like "COVID 19 cases on the rise". Although it is important to stay informed on the current events, sometimes it can be overwhelming and they can consume our thoughts. People are going through may hardships and internal battles that no one is seeing. Small business owners who are part of the latino and black community are starting to board up their stores again due to the Election all of out fear of being looted. This is the harsh reality we live in today and social workers are needed more than ever to help alleviate those financial stressors in peoples' lives.
Thank you for sharing such an informative post.
-Mark Marroquin
It was horrible to see the havoc that the pandemic had caused in my communities and those of my friends and families. I personally was blessed enough that my student worker position was moved online and I was still able to get enough money during the start of the pandemic to manage my way through the summer. However, finding summer employment was difficult but I managed to find something to stay afloat. It was unfortunate to see the latter for most. I personally felt that Chicago Public Schools handles food insecurity well, but did not do so in a staff safe manner. To the best of my knowledge CPS was providing meals on a daily basis even to those not enrolled. I thank you for the knowledge you provided me with in this post. I experienced first hand the difficulty of arranging a funeral during COVID, and given the craziness I did not feel like I had the time to grieve that I needed, so I really appreciate the activities you provided.
ReplyDelete