Although the critical role of social workers in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and support for communities affected by the virus was stressed in international declarations of the social work profession, how social workers fulfil their role in practice has remained virtually unexplored. This question is of greater importance when it comes to ethnic minority communities that may be disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19 in light of inequities, discrimination and marginality. This study examined action strategies adopted by social workers in the public service in response to the challenges faced by ethnic minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, twenty-five in-depth interviews were conducted with social workers employed in the public welfare services in Israel, who work with Arab communities. Research findings revealed seven action strategies that have the potential to provide protection and support to a minority population group during the pandemic, bridge language and cultural gaps and promote policies that strive for social justice. The discussion emphasises the need and importance of social workers to act in a socio-cultural–political context-sensitive manner in pandemic conditions, whilst demonstrating flexibility in addressing the changing and unique needs of their clients. Implications for policy, practice and research are presented.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 大流行期间少数民族的社会工作实践：向以色列的阿拉伯少数民族学习

尽管社会工作者在国际社会工作专业宣言中强调了社会工作者在抗击冠状病毒（COVID-19）大流行和支持受病毒影响的社区方面的关键作用，但社会工作者如何在实践中发挥作用已经几乎没有被探索。当涉及到由于不平等、歧视和边缘化而可能特别容易感染 COVID-19 的少数民族社区时，这个问题更为重要。本研究审查了公共服务中的社会工作者为应对 COVID-19 大流行期间少数民族面临的挑战而采取的行动策略。为此，对以色列公共福利服务机构的社会工作者进行了 25 次深度访谈，他们与阿拉伯社区合作。研究结果揭示了七项行动战略，这些战略有可能在大流行期间为少数群体提供保护和支持，弥合语言和文化差距，并促进争取社会正义的政策。讨论强调了社会工作者在大流行情况下以对社会文化政治背景敏感的方式行事的必要性和重要性，同时在解决客户不断变化的独特需求方面表现出灵活性。介绍了对政策、实践和研究的影响。讨论强调了社会工作者在大流行情况下以对社会文化政治背景敏感的方式行事的必要性和重要性，同时在解决客户不断变化的独特需求方面表现出灵活性。介绍了对政策、实践和研究的影响。讨论强调了社会工作者在大流行情况下以对社会文化政治背景敏感的方式行事的必要性和重要性，同时在解决客户不断变化的独特需求方面表现出灵活性。介绍了对政策、实践和研究的影响。