Abstract

Although unprecedented in scope and beyond all our life experiences, sweeping social distancing measures are not without historical precedent. Historically, racism, stigma, and discrimination resulted in grossly inequitable application of disease containment measures. But history also provides examples in which broad measures enjoyed remarkable public support. When it comes to COVID-19, blame and division continue to shape containment responses. But the COVID-19 pandemic also resonates with moments in which there was broad social support for containment precisely because lockdowns or stay at home orders are, on the surface, remarkably equitable. Yet even in a context in which a majority of Americans support social distancing, small but coordinated conservative groups are challenging social distancing as a matter of individual rights. In sharp contrast, vulnerable populations, who bear the heaviest burden of disease, have claimed a right to social distancing as a matter of protection.

摘要

尽管范围之广，超越了我们所有的生活经验，但广泛的社会隔离措施并非没有历史先例。从历史上看，种族主义，污名化和歧视导致严重不平等地采用了疾病遏制措施。但是历史也提供了例子，在这些例子中，广泛的措施获得了公众的极大支持。当谈到COVID-19时，责备和分歧继续影响遏制措施。但是，COVID-19大流行也引起了人们的共鸣，在这一时刻，广泛的社会支持对收容措施的实施恰恰是因为封锁或停留在家里的订单表面上是相当公平的。然而，即使在大多数美国人支持社会隔离的情况下，规模较小但协调一致的保守派团体也正在就个人权利问题挑战社会隔离。