The spread of the epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the announcement of the state of epidemic emergency determined the necessity of the changes in the functioning of the social welfare units. This article is an analysis of the literature sources related to the functioning of the social workers during natural disasters, that have served as the basis for conclusions. In addition, twelve pilot interviews with social workers were conducted. Previously the institutions were not prepared for such a threat, did not have procedures nor regulations and means of self-protection. In the times of the epidemic the feminization of the profession of a social worker and the fact of the necessity of taking care of the children of the age of up to 8 years, resulted in the staff shortages. The new reality created the necessity to reorganize the work system of the social assistance units especially in the area of the safety regulations that is to say teleworking, rotational work and shift work, limitations in dealing with the clients and fieldwork, conducting community interviews by phone. Working at residential care facilities, which were closed to protect their residents from infection, has become of particular nature. Due to the epidemic situation, normative acts regarding benefits for persons threatened by the infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus, implementation of assistance for persons experiencing violence or support for people in crisis of homelessness are constantly changing. The text discusses in detail five factors hindering the performance of professional activities for employees of social assistance units: organizational and legal, physical, interpersonal, ethical and psychological. Finally, it is essential to start working by applying the method of organizing local communities (and using social capital), as its absence will be a barrier to the development of Polish municipalities after the epidemic.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to socio-economic changes around the world and negatively affected the mental health of many people. The study aims to identify the most common students’ fears regarding the pandemic. The questionnaire, structured for purposes of the research, contained a demographic part and 8 questions related to the experienced respondent’s fears. The results indicate that most students were concerned about the long-term impact of the pandemic on the Polish economy (83,8%) and everyday life (72,1%). Women were more afraid of the numerous consequences of the pandemic than men. People seeking information on COVID-19 were more likely to feel fear of infecting themselves and their loved ones. One year after the pandemic outbreak, students were less likely to experience some COVID-19 concerns. The obtained data can be used in mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic in specific risk groups.
PL
Wybuch pandemii COVID-19 przyczynił się do zmian społeczno-gospodarczych na całym świecie oraz negatywnie wpłynął na zdrowie psychiczne wielu ludzi. Celem badania jest określenie najczęstszych obaw studentów związanych z pandemią. Ankieta skonstruowana na potrzeby badań zawierała część demograficzną oraz 8 pytań odnoszących się do doświadczanych obaw respondentów. Wyniki badań wskazują, że większość studentów obawiała się długotrwałego wpływu pandemii na polską gospodarkę (83,8%) i codzienne życie (72,1%). Kobiety częściej od mężczyzn doświadczały obaw dotyczących licznych konsekwencji pandemii. Osoby poszukujące informacji na temat COVID-19 częściej odczuwały obawy przed zakażeniem siebie i bliskich. Po roku od wybuchu pandemii studenci rzadziej odczuwali niektóre obawy związane z COVID-19. Uzyskane dane można wykorzystać w działaniach łagodzących negatywne skutki pandemii w określonych grupach ryzyka.
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