"L'ENFER, C'EST LES AUTRES": Proximity as an Ethical Problem during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Ethics
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global discussions on physical distancing and lockdowns.
• Ethical dimensions of proximity (closeness/farness) became central to personal and social relations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the ethical reflections, reasoning, and conduct that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To understand how concepts of proximity were ethically debated and practiced.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of five case studies from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.
• Qualitative exploration of ethical considerations during pandemic-related restrictions.

Main Results:

• The pandemic revealed complex ethical considerations surrounding physical closeness and social interactions.
• Case studies illustrate diverse forms of ethical reasoning and conduct shaped by public health measures.
• The study uncovers ethical practices often obscured by the pandemic's immediate focus.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 emergency significantly impacted the ethical understanding of proximity in human relationships.
• Pandemic experiences fostered new ethical frameworks for navigating social connections and physical boundaries.