How are emotions about COVID-19 impacting society? The role of the political elite and grassroots activism

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of emotions in the polarization that emerged during the first months of the pandemic. So, the authors will analyze the social response of two opposing social actors: political elites that have minimized the risks of the pandemic and grassroots groups that have promoted mutual support for vulnerable people suffering from the various effects of the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachFor the analysis, the authors will primarily refer to Hochschild's proposal and the recent literature on emotions and protest. The method is to analyze official statements by politicians from the UK, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Italy and the social responses that have emerged from different mutual support groups and solidarity networks in those countries, as well as in Chile and Argentina.FindingsThe authors will show how the conflicting responses can exacerbate social polarization in our societies. This polarization goes beyond the political spectrum, and in some cases even social classes, and reaches into the realms of values, emotions and practices. The authors will also show how the response from grassroots activism makes it possible to overcome guilt, shame and other emotions of trauma, among other things.Originality/valueAn analysis of the emotional dimension of two opposing responses to the pandemic will show how these responses have a deep impact on society, ranging from demands for values and practices that legitimize a status quo, to discussing, breaking away from or overcoming social behavior based on individualism and social determinism.

Uncertainty, shock and anger: Recent loss experiences of first‐wave COVID‐19 pandemic in Italy

“…The observed wariness or direct hostility of mourners toward mental health support may have implications for treatment. Professionals approaching COVID‐19 mourners should be aware that their patients could be extremely disheartened by health services, and as a result, their alliance or compliance may already be fragile (Gravante & Poma, 2021 ; Testoni et al, 2021 ). Understanding this attitude rather than getting into conflict with it may help to construct a cooperative enterprise where the mourning person and the professional work together for a common aim.…”

Online focus groups as a tool to study policy professionals

“…Political scientists have employed a set of diverse methods to study such political elites and their relationships within and between the organizations they represent or are active in. One can broadly distinguish between the following methods:(1) Those that rely on the coding and analysis of text and other publicly available data (e.g., Coen and Vannoni, 2020; LaPira and Thomas, 2017);(2) Those that rely on information requested from organizations and persons of interest, commonly through surveys of or interviews with organizational representatives (e.g., Beyers et al 2020; Harvey, 2011; Peabody et al, 1990; Heaney 2014; Leech, 2002);(3) Those that entail the observation of behaviors of elites during their professional activities by means of ethnography-type “shadowing” (e.g., Adler-Nissen and Eggeling 2022; Gravante and Poma 2022) or with field experiments (e.g., Grose et al, 2022); and(4) Those that (artificially) manipulate the situations elites must navigate, such as in survey experiments and audit studies (e.g., Aizenberg 2023; Kalla and Broockman 2016; Rasmussen and Reher 2023). …”

“…(3) Those that entail the observation of behaviors of elites during their professional activities by means of ethnography-type “shadowing” (e.g., Adler-Nissen and Eggeling 2022; Gravante and Poma 2022) or with field experiments (e.g., Grose et al, 2022); and…”

Practices and Strategies of Health Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Between Limitations and Opportunities

“…International health authorities defined specific prevention measures, such as, quarantine, social distancing, and hand washing to prevent infections and minimise the spread of the virus [ 2 ]. The pandemic and associated management strategies came to affect individuals, groups, and whole societies at multiple levels [ 3 , 4 ], including health professionals [ 5 ]. These came to face new and challenging situations, which required massive efforts, engagement, dedication, and courage.…”