Care in Social Exclusion: Community Organization in the Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: The consequences of social inequality exacerbated by the pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain a major challenge to the effectiveness of public health and social policies. The valorization of intersubjectivity by social-historical psychology and Latin and feminist ethics approaches contribute to a better understanding of care produced in the daily life and the affections of people who experience social exclusion. The objective is to comprehend the different ways of coping and producing care promoted by community-based organizations in vulnerable territories affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In using participatory qualitative research, community leaders were approached and interviewed about their daily lives thus conducting participant observation and field diary entries. Results indicate that appreciating and understanding intersubjectivity expressed by the sense of community and others aspects guide possibilities to politicize health practices and care following the production of ethical-political care, which would contribute to strengthening forms of social participation, solidarity, the exercise of citizenship, and the fight for rights.