COVID-19 and Policy Failure in the United States: The “Inequality Virus” and Practitioner Interaction with Social Inequity Challenges

Abstract

This study explores the social equity issues that U.S. public administrators perceived as the main challenges during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Using data from a national survey of public administrators, this study reveals that respondents believed that the pandemic both highlighted and worsened existing inequities, specifically economic, racial/ethnic, and health inequities. It was more difficult for public administrators to provide services during COVID-19 because of difficulty accessing and communicating with the public. This combined with workforce challenges to weaken the administrative response. Public administrators reported that some changes were made to improve social equity, but more work is needed.