Overview

In mid 2020, India had only reported around 1 million COVID cases. Vaccines and testing were still scarce, and misinformation was rampant. To help spread awareness and keep tabs on the health of the poorest communities, India enlisted thousands of community health workers. This report explores the role of these ASHA workers and the dangers faced in their line of work.

Videos

Discussion Questions

What problems can you identify in this story? Are solutions presented?
In what way might this story be relevant in your community?
Are there any ethical implications of putting volunteers on the front lines of COVID-19 contact tracing?
What are some other existing conditions in India that are complicating the fight against the pandemic?
For some, the lockdown has pushed economic conditions from bad to much worse. How should a state balance public health and public welfare?
Are there any lessons from India’s response for your own community?

Writing Prompts (250 Words)

Since this story aired, India's covid case load exploded and much of the countries public health systems were overwhelmed. How do you think the role of community health workers would change when containment was no longer possible?