Current events can cause workers stress, but they can also be a source of resiliency and meaning. It’s important to be prepared for a range of possible situations, from a local news story to a natural disaster near an office. Leaders can minimize distraction and help employees feel safe at work by having a clear plan in place for responding to these events.
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about how the disease may affect workers’ ability to get to and from their jobs, as well as the impact on their families and communities. The global economic crisis and other political crises that occurred around the same time as the COVID-19 outbreak are likely to have influenced how it has spread. The disproportionate impact of racialized harms from drug use, sex work and mental health problems may be exacerbated by the policing and repression resulting from the crisis and from a lack of social protection for vulnerable populations.
While much of the public discourse about current events focuses on fear and blame, these events can be opportunities for learning and growth. Educators can engage students in conversations about how the news media, societal narratives and their own perspectives shape their understanding of events, as well as the importance of accurate, unbiased sources. The Educator’s Resource Center at Facing History and Ourselves has assembled several resources for teaching with current events, including a DIY Newshour Extra, Reading Like a Historian and Zombie-Based Learning.