The role of solidarity in a pandemic

Abstract

Solidarity is part of the map of values and ethical principles of the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated the world since the end of 2019. Solidarity has been behind the justification for public health measures such as confinement, quarantines, lockdowns, the mandatory use of masks, and the financing, distribution and inoculation of vaccines against the virus; it has also been used to economic compensation, intergenerational sacrifices, the importance of public health care and even mutual aid between citizens, institutions and countries to face the worst effects of the pandemic. However, solidarity has been used interchangeably as a descriptive and normative, motivational and justificatory, sentimental and political, moral and legal idea, thus increasing confusion about its meaning, use and scope. This article reviews the rhetorical use of solidarity during the pandemic, shows the contradictions derived from that use, and sheds light on the normative use it should have in order to more rigorously address responses to future pandemics.