I’m working on a public service discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

In the early weeks of 2020, the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) began to spread through the Wuhan region of China. Within weeks, cases began to pop up around the world at rapid rates. As cases of this highly infectious virus continued to increase due to international travel, a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization in short order.

Facing the spread of Coronavirus, countries had to weigh economic costs against the lives of their citizens. This dynamic would put already vulnerable populations in even more precarious positions as shutdowns and forced closures became inevitable. Those at the highest risk for serious illness from contracting COVID-19 included seniors, people with chronic illness, but little was known about the long term impacts of the virus on those who were not known to be immediately vulnerable to severe complications. However, as the forced economic closures of communities throughout the United States would begin to take place in March 2020, the virus itself would no longer be the only threat many would face. Businesses, schools, organizations, and more would be forced to close as people engaged in social distancing as widespread initiatives would be undertaken to control the spread of the virus. Unemployment rates throughout the world skyrocketed as many who had never faced such challenges would find themselves out of work. 

Discussion question

Do some light research via your basic search engines regarding food insecurity and the corona virus, particurarly during the spring 2020 shutdowns.  What was done to combat the increase in food insecurity during this time?  Keep in mind: the demand for foodbanks increased drastically as people were laid off and businesses closed over night, while the typical donnors for these organizations dried up (small businesses, grocery stores, restaurants, those who before the closures were socioeconomically more stable, etc.) 

A) What roll did networks and collaborations have in the response to the food insecurity concern that the closures caused?  Hint: what collaborations did you find relating to public, private, and non-profit organizations? 

B) What challenges did you find reported or discussed in these responses?  These challenges could consist of outreach, the collaborations themselves, or more.