The social paradox of COVID-19 pandemic: the duality of socialization and the value of fraternal charity

Canete, Jonathan James O

Government across all nations had promulgated precautionary measures in controlling the wide spread of the disease. One that takes precedence is the practice of community quarantine where people are mandated to stay at home and avoid going outside if is not utterly necessary. This mandate caused a lot of catastrophic outcomes in the socio-economic condition and mental health of many. Many people are in psychological and existential despair for the loss of their jobs and the isolation that they are experiencing. However, in the midst of this undesirable condition, the natural tendency of the human person to socialize is still present. Done in the spirit of fraternal charity, an individual’s way of socialization gives hope to those who are in despair. The COVID-19 pandemic does not deter the human person to exercise his fraternal instinct but gives him sufficient reason to employ it all the more, creating the social paradox of human presence.