Subjective theories on solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire for sanctioning “non-solidaric” behaviour

Abstract

Solidarity was perceived to be of great importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the expected vaccination against COVID-19. Showing any hesitancy was often declared as a lack of solidarity. This paper focuses on three research questions: (1) How did laypeople perceive solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How did they react to people hesitant to vaccination? (3) What consequences could that have had for health promotion and society? In order to understand subjective theories of laypeople on solidarity during the pandemic – and on vaccination against COVID-19 in particular, 1 858 bottom line comments on ten different internet articles were analysed. As a result, laypeople often shared the idea that vaccination was an act of solidarity. Focusing on those who were hesitant, they attributed this to a lack of cognitive and social competence. Furthermore, the expected consequences of vaccination hesitancy were described, which in turn justified a wide range of suggested sanctions. They included discrimination and exclusion, as well as a desire for personal damage. Finally, possible effects on society are discussed.