Abstract
Policymakers shaping responses to COVID-19 have thus far overlooked the needs of high-risk populations, including disabled people and older adults living in the community who rely on the assistance of Personal Care Attendants (PCAs), Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and other direct care workers. To help protect high-risk populations who rely on direct care workers to live in the community, we must draw on our existing strengths and resources. Specifically, we must ensure that a) people with disabilities who rely on direct care workers can continue to receive the support they need to shelter in place safely, and b) that direct care workers can minimize their risk of contracting COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible to protect themselves and others.