A couple of weeks ago, we posted information about how you can gain remote access to HeinOnline, a legal research platform that features an extensive collection of law journal articles, United States Congressional documents, several specially-curated libraries, and so much more. Today, we are going to introduce you to one of the newest libraries to be added to the HeinOnline family of databases: COVID-19 in America: Response, Issues, and Law.
Not surprisingly, the coronavirus and the havoc it has wreaked in our global society remain at the forefront of our media conscience. The virus and its deadly disease, COVID-19, has negatively affected not only public health but also practically every economic and business sector, not to mention the loss of human life it has caused. To help researchers understand the impact that this pandemic has had, HeinOnline created its COVID-19 in America database with information derived from reports from the Congressional Research Service and the General Accounting Office. Launched in July 2020, the database examines the effect that COVID-19 has had on America in four distinct areas: economics, global impact, health, and society.
With much of the country on some form of lockdown and with many workers unable to go to their places of employment, it’s no wonder that the pandemic had a devastating economic toll on most, if not all, business sectors. The Economics section looks at the banking industry’s response, legislative initiatives relating to business interruption insurance, economic impact payments, and reports on rules promulgated by the Small Business Administration.
The Global Impact portion of the database examines the global economic effects of COVID-19 and policy responses from various nations, including China, Japan, the UK, and other countries within the European Union. Additionally, you can find information about the impact that COVID-19 has had on Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Contact tracing, COVID-19 testing, domestic public health response, and vaccine development are just some of the topics about which you can learn in the Health section of the database.
The Society segment concentrates on some key issues that arose or came into greater focus during the pandemic. Although many of the issues addressed had already existed prior to the arrival of the coronavirus on our shores, many are issues that were exacerbated by the pandemic and gained greater prominence. Examples include the digital divide, domestic violence, and food safety. Other topics discussed in this section include the 2020 Census, the 2020 hurricane season, E-Books and intellectual property issues, and mail voting.
In addition to these four major areas, the database includes links to scholarly articles ranging from articles about disability discrimination and tenants’ rights to due process and access to justice. External links take the user to a Coronavirus Vaccine tracker from the New York Times and a COVID-19 Resources LibGuide from the Legal Information Institute.
As with other libraries found on HeinOnline, COVID-19 in America: Response, Issues, and Law is fully searchable. To help you along, there is a LibGuide with tips for using the main search bar and the advanced search feature. You can narrow your search by date, document type, section type, or title. There are also some general training materials associated with using HeinOnline.