The Human Side of COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a broad, deep, and pervasive impact on our lives, our work, and how our justice system functions. While it is easy to contemplate the “system” as a massive behemoth that is impervious, impersonal, and impenetrable, the truth is that the “system” is made up of people. The men and women whose work is the building blocks of the justice system are individuals, each with their own narrative, experience, perspective, and role in the administration of justice. To understand the system and the impact of COVID-19, it is essential to understand the stories of those who work in the system. This article presents the individual and human stories of four professionals whose professional lives are a part of the justice system. Each of these professionals tells their personal story of COVID-19 and reflects on how the pandemic affected them and their approach to the work that they do.