Context (archaeology)

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Law and economics

Biology

Social protection

Computer security

Virology

Archaeology

Economics

Computer science

Development economics

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Outbreak

Business

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Cohesion (chemistry)

Paleontology

Vulnerability (computing)

Organic chemistry

Politics

Geography

Political science

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Sociology

Medicine

Chemistry

Economic growth

Pandemic

Social insurance

Disease

Pathology

Social contract

International Social Security Review

The COVID‐19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of those who are inadequately covered by social protection in more and less developed countries alike, and has exacerbated the fragility of a social contract that was already under strain in many countries. A weak social contract in the context of an exceptional crisis poses a very real risk to social cohesion. Nevertheless, many States have reasserted themselves as the guarantor of rights by protecting public health and incomes. By sustaining these measures, economic recovery will be supported which will help minimize risks that may weaken social cohesion. However, this is a fast‐moving, inherently unstable and protracted crisis. Social protection stands at a critical juncture. Decisive policy action will be required to strengthen social protection systems, including floors, as one of the cornerstones of a reinvigorated social contract.

Reinvigorating the social contract and strengthening social cohesion: Social protection responses to COVID‐19