The coronavirus burst into our lives as this book was in the final stages of proofreading. It is impossible to evaluate, at the present stage, what the long-term effects of coronavirus on our lives will be. What is clear is that this medical crisis carries heavy social and economic costs. The crisis exposed the ailments of neoliberal policy which, in recent years, changed the structure of the employment market and gnawed at the health, welfare and education systems. It seems that the pandemic exposes the deficiencies of the economic right, and the weakness of the ideas of personal responsibility and extreme individualism. Suddenly it is clear to everyone that the state has a crucial role as a safety net for its citizens, and that solidarity and mutual responsibility are the order of the day.

Coping with the pandemic has raised the question whether Western states can allow themselves to continue weakening the public systems, cutting the social safety net and abandoning citizens each to her own lot – or will be able to show responsibility towards the citizens, to safeguard their physical and economic security and to build social institutions based on the principles of equality and social justice. This debate is important and precious. It constitutes an opportunity for social work academics and practitioners alike to take part and make a stance. It reminds us of the social basis of the discipline and strengthens the radical and critical ideas informing it from its inception.

Nonetheless, a poverty-aware stance compels us at all times to examine specifically the implications of the new situation on the weakened and excluded group of people living in poverty. Without ignoring the situation of millions of people around the world who experience firsthand a lack of economic security, it is important to remember and remind others of the material and symbolic implications of the situation on those who live in poverty and experience economic hardship for a long time.