Open AccessToward a New Community of Care: Best Practices for Educators and Administrators During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author(s) -
Cody M. Clemens,
Tomeka M. Robinson
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of communication pedagogy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2640-4524
pISSN - 2578-2568
DOI - 10.31446/jcp.2021.2.14
Subject(s) - feeling , pandemic , covid-19 , health care , best practice , public relations , new normal , sociology , psychology , nursing , political science , medicine , social psychology , virology , law , disease , pathology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The onset of COVID-19 left people feeling unsettled, confused, and afraid of what tomorrow may hold. As university professors specializing in health communication, we too were left with these same feelings. As health communication scholars, we focus on issues surrounding illness, risk, crisis, care, health inequities, and wellness. COVID-19 is a health crisis, yes, but it has also changed the way we operate not only in higher education but in daily life. We begin this essay with an overview of COVID-19 and its impact on students, educators, and administrators. Then, we suggest four best practices to foster a community of care in the classroom during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.