Final paper for social work class. Social Sciences. Term Paper

Final Paper for Social Work Class
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
Over the years there are various pandemics that have brought the world to a standstill. These pandemics usually start small but spread rapidly across the world resulting in massive deaths and economies of different countries particularly those from developing and under developed regions significantly crushed. Currently, the corona virus is a major concern globally. The first case of the corona virus or as commonly known as covid-19 was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly to different countries around the globe. There have been reported to be over 3.9 million corona virus cases in more than 200 countries worldwide with an estimated 272000 people having lost their lives. The causes of the virus still remain but speculations and despite many countries making extensive efforts to find a cure and a vaccine, nothing has become fruitful yet. As such, nations have instituted different measures to curtail the spread of the corona virus including lockdowns and complete cessation of movements. In some countries, only employees that are deemed to provide essential services are allowed on the streets. Major global events that were scheduled to take place in the course of the year including the Olympics in Tokyo have been postponed. On the same breadth, schools have been shut down with learning being taken online to ensure the safety of all students. The corona virus has not only affected my macro, mezzo and microenvironment but also myself as an individual.
Effects of the Corona Virus on my Macro, Mezzo and Micro Environment
The whole world continues to grapple from the devastating effects of the corona virus as it is seen spreading rapidly and leaving many people dead in its wake. The first case of the corona virus was identified in Wuhan, China in December, 2019 and since then it has spread to more than 200 countries worldwide. Latest reports indicate that there are over 3.9 million corona virus cases globally and that more than 250000 people have lost their lives to the disease (Cdc.gov, 2020). Particularly, there have been 1.31 million confirmed corona cases in the US and about 77000 people have died (Cdc.gov, 2020). The search for a vaccine and a cure for the disease still remains elusive and as such, governments in different countries have taken various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Most notably, countries such as Italy and Spain instituted lockdowns that have seen their governments take extensive steps to take charge of the situation (Mrudula, 2020). The corona virus has brought various sectors of the economy including education to a standstill with schools worldwide being close and learning taken online. I am an international student from China studying social work at the New York University Silver School of Social Work. With the massive outbreak of the corona virus, the university was closed and had to go back to China where we classes continue on the online platform. Nonetheless, the corona virus has adversely impacted my macro, mezzo and micro environments in various ways.
Macro Environment
The corona virus was labelled a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March, 2020 because it was not only spreading very rapidly but also causing massive deaths in its wake (Cdc.gov, 2020). As a student undertaking social work I understand it’s prudent to examine the impacts of the corona virus on a macro level. According to Hutchison (2015), “The study of the macro system focuses on exploring the notions of poverty, community violence and cohesiveness aimed towards the welfare of the individuals” (89). Based on the above statement, it is evident that many countries around the globe continue to grapple from the corona virus including developed nations such as the US and my native country China. The corona virus continues to decimate the US economy. Over the recent past, the US has come out as one of the countries that have been greatly affected by the corona virus.
I have been following up the events not only through the media but also obtaining first-hand information from my classmates who reside in the region. The information I have been receiving is very devastating. Quite a number of my classmates have lost friends and loved ones from the corona virus and many of them have relatives fighting for their lives in health care facilities. It is one thing to lose a loved one but very saddening not to get the chance to pay your last respects. That is the situation that two of my classmates have encountered so far and for weeks we have been trying to cheer them up from their depressive states. As a student undertaking social work I am aware that grief in the long run can be very detrimental and can challenge individuals from living their best lives. Considering the rate at which the corona virus is spreading and killing people in the US, it is prudent to construe that the locals will be plagued by the impacts long after end of the pandemic. These impacts will trickle down to the interactions that say my classmates have moving forward and as such; I may lose people I had come to depend and call upon as my friends.
The other macro environment that has been impacted by the corona virus is the Chinese culture. Chinese are normally very friendly people who love entertaining guests and generally spending time together. That is part of the Chinese culture that has been passed down across generations (Rogers, 2019). However, with the corona virus, unnecessary movements and gatherings have been restricted to curtail its spread. As such, individuals have embraced keeping to themselves and only going out of their houses to purchase necessities and essentials. Gone are the days when one would open their doors to share a cup of tea with neighbors and friends with social distancing being the new normal. I have been back in China for the past two months or so and there quite a number of friends and relatives I have not been able to link up with. Considering that there is no end to the pandemic, the current scenario will erode the Chinese friendly culture.
Mezzo Environment
The corona virus has also impacted and will affect my mezzo environme...