Examining the Impacts of the Pandemic on Vulnerable Population Groups

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many lives in one way or another and is arguably one of modern history's most disruptive and unprecedented events. As many employers shifted from the typical workplace to a remote work environment for their employees to limit the spread of the pervasive virus under the direction of healthcare and government officials, many others were forced to close their doors altogether, drastically changing the structure of the workforce. While the shift to work-from-home is one of the most noticeable impacts of the pandemic, the effects on employment are widespread, especially for the most vulnerable. We examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionality impacted vulnerable populations exacerbating preexisting inequities. More specifically, we examine work-from-home for individuals with disabilities, the gender employment gap, and the impacts on employment for low-income individuals. A nationwide comprehensive and multi-wave survey, i.e., the COVID Future survey, were collected, providing information about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of individuals. We find that vulnerable populations, namely individuals with disabilities, women, and low-income earners, are disproportionately affected, further extending disparities.