THE TRIPLE PANDEMIC AND THE ROAD AHEAD

A dominant, cross-cutting theme expressed by scholars and practitioners grappling with the impact and implications of the COVID health pandemic, economic decline, and racial reckoning was the important yet inadequate data available in crucial areas. More specifically, the lack of reliable, up-to-date, accessible data reported by specific variables, such as race, is a barrier to important analysis, effective policymaking, and evaluation of impact. The pandemic's health, economic, and justice impact is substantial. Absent concerted interventions, these impacts will be sustained and amplified for many generations to come. These new "pandemic” impacts only build upon preexisting racial inequities due to historical, legal, and modern structural racism. While racial discord, economic decline, or health crisis is unique to the present time period, the co-occurrence and intersectionality have demanded some serious consideration. Academics and scholars have the responsibility of research and analysis that leads to the information necessary to make informed policy decisions. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Elsie L. Harper-Anderson, Jay S. Albanese and Susan T. Gooden;individual chapters, the contributors.

Racial Equity, Covid-19, And Public Policy: The Triple Pandemic

Racial Equity, COVID-19, and Public Policy: The Triple Pandemic focuses on the health, economic, and justice impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial equity. The book does not simply document the problems made worse by the pandemic, but it provides historical context for issues that rose to the surface in new ways, the existing inequities revealed during COVID-19, as well as policy responses to those issues. The volume is distinguished in its focus on the implications for racial equity through an examination of both existing public policy and new ideas for change. The chapters in this volume demonstrate the ways in which this period of American history and politics is unique, most notably in the convergence of major threats to public health, economic livelihood, and access to justice. This triple pandemic will be felt in the coming years and will continue to unfold, depending upon the adequacy of the contemporary response. This edited volume is designed to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of issues including policing, housing, business, disaster response, education, immigration, vaccine distribution, reentry of justice-involved individuals, and the responses to public protests all with a unifying focus on racial inequities and social justice concerns that elevated these issues to broader public attention and political response. This coalescing emphasis on public policy as both a cause and effect to address these issues makes the book a unique contribution to the public policy literature. This book responds to audiences seeking a better understanding of the events that occurred, the conditions that set the stage for their eruption into wider public view, and what might be done to prevent social and racial inequities in the future. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Elsie L. Harper-Anderson, Jay S. Albanese and Susan T. Gooden;individual chapters, the contributors.

INTRODUCTION—WHY THIS BOOK? WHY THE WILDER SCHOOL AS THE LAUNCHING POINT? WHY NOW?

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book focuses on the health, justice, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial equity in the United States. It provides historical context to the issues that rose to the surface in new ways, the existing inequities revealed during COVID-19, and old and new policy responses to them. As the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, daily American life changed dramatically. Most importantly, racial inequities in each of these areas—health, justice, and economics—are very consequential. They impact the well-being and livelihood of children, adults, and the elderly. The book responds to audiences seeking a better understanding of the events that occurred, the conditions that set the stage for their eruption into wider public view, and what might be done to prevent the underlying social and racial inequities in the future. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Elsie L. Harper-Anderson, Jay S. Albanese and Susan T. Gooden;individual chapters, the contributors.