Caritas et veritas 2022, 12(1):8-9

Potentials and Risks of a Social-unit Perceived as a Community for Coping with a Pandemic

Karel Šimr

TF JU, Kněžská 8, 37001 České Budějovice

A pandemic is often simply perceived as a health problem, or as a health problem that needs to be overcome with the help of mathematical and statistical principles. The community dimension of coping with a pandemic, that is, achieving the necessary level of information and trust in the network of social relations in the society, is less perceived.In the first half of 2020, we could observe elements of such a community-based approach towards coping with a pandemic. People sewed masks for others, maintained social distance, and supported each other’s daily living needs. Conversely, in the second half of 2020 and in 2021, we can observe a deep crisis of trust in the state which, like an infection, is transmitted to the network of social ties and relationships throughout the society. This atmosphere is formed in the spirit of slogans such as ‘no one trusts anyone’, ‘no one can rely on anyone’, and ‘everyone cares only for himself’. Community work is one of the methods of social work which, on the contrary, seeks to overcome social problems by strengthening social capital in a community and society. This includes community and society awareness as well as generalised trust in a community and society. Contributions to this issue of Caritas et Veritas should therefore focus on the problem of information and communication in society, trust within society, and the role of helping professions in overcoming the pandemic and restoring both social ties and trust within society.

Accepted: March 16, 2022; Published: December 9, 2022  Show citation