A Rural Perspective on COVID-19 Responses: Access, Interdependence and Community

Abstract

Much of the press on the pandemic has been focused on urban environments where the virus was quick to spread and the numbers of cases are high. Beyond the greater risk for COVID-19-related health complications, rural populations are particularly susceptible to disruptions in the economic infrastructure of their communities. This study explores the impacts of COVID-19 on rural communities and the responses of nonprofit and other community infrastructures. Using a strengths-based approach and mixedmethods design, this qualitative research asked rural residents and nonprofit leaders about their needs, challenges, and assets as a result of COVID-19. Themes relative to access, interdependence, and community emerged from a priori categories. The research offers implications for both nonprofit education and rural nonprofit leadership.

Changes in Need, Changes in Infrastructure: A Comparative Assessment of Rural Nonprofits Responding to COVID-19

“…Sloan et al [17] surmised that rural communities experienced "unique challenges and were forced to demonstrate resiliencies during the COVID-19 public health crisis," and furthermore, "the rural barriers to health, work, and education experienced on an ongoing basis were exacerbated by the pandemic" (p. 63). Their original study, conducted in 2020, explored community perceptions of local resource needs (including SDOH) and perceived strengths and asked participants to rank areas of concern in their communities, followed by a series of questions regarding what was helpful during the pandemic.…”

“…In descending order of need, the other categories included: substance abuse, mental health, food/grocery access, housing, technology access, transportation, childcare, infrastructure, and business support. In Wave 2, the priorities shifted so that mental health was ranked number one most often (20), followed by employment (17), and healthcare (16). Although housing was not ranked the number one need as often, the importance of housing within the rankings experienced the largest gain from Wave 1 to Wave 2, rising almost a full point (−0.98); mental health has the second highest gain in importance with a −0.64 difference.…”

“…In early-stage pandemic research, Sloan et al [17] explored the impacts of COVID-19 on rural communities and the responses of nonprofit communities and other community infrastructure within the Shenandoah Valley. The study conducted in June 2020 utilized survey research along with four interviews with key informants.…”