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Peace culture in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Confinement, ICTs and social networks

Abstract:

Suddenly, our planet has been caught in a pandemic that everyone expected but for which no one was prepared. This situation has triggered an unprecedented global crisis, leaving nearly 25 million cases and one million deaths with no sign of abating. The uncertainty and isolation have led to widespread fear and anxiety, particularly in countries with inadequate health systems that did not take this outbreak seriously. Despite this bleak picture, natural disasters havedecreasedinternal conflicts in some countries, as warring factions are often forced (out of extreme necessity) to work together, or at least to lower the level of conflict to focus on the preservation or reconstruction of their localities. There are indications that some governments are trying to ease political tensions in the shadow of the COVID-19. Social networks and the Internet have been great protagonists during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years these tools have provided a “real-time map” of what is happening in any part of the world, however, as well as allowing the distribution of valid information that contributes to the prevention and containment of the disease and contagion, it can also be used to issue false information, which ends up spreading concern and anxiety, even faster than the virus itself. This article aims to offer a psychological perspective on the crisis caused by the pandemic and the need for a change in localist interpretations towards unity and solidarity by looking at us as a global culture or village. It also analyzes the possible role of the Internet and social networks in the construction of this new way of seeing our civilization.