In this essay, I highlight two ways in which the coronavirus pandemic has influenced the teaching and learning of social studies. First, despite its marginalization and under-investment nationally, the crisis highlighted the significance of social studies by serving as a refuge for youth and families to navigate and better understand this disaster. This includes serving as a cathartic space for learners grappling with current events as they unfold. Second, curricular innovations emerged that guided informative practices. Such innovations include "Maslow before Bloom" (attending to basic human needs before focusing on academic learning) and noting the ways in which youth took informed action at home and in the community to make a difference. While the list is in no way comprehensive or mutually exclusive, it does present one picture of social studies in classrooms and communities during this challenging period in our history.