Hope and Moral Repair: A Reflection

Introduction

James Baldwin once said, "We've got to be as clear-headed about human beings as possible, because we are still each other’s only hope." This quote resonates deeply in the context of the recent COVID-19 crisis. A story shared by a friend, Beth, reveals the emotional and moral toll the pandemic has taken on individuals and society at large. Beth's experience of exclusion and discrimination due to her family's vaccination status is a testament to the moral injury inflicted during the pandemic.

Moral Injury in the Time of COVID-19

Moral injury is a specific kind of trauma that arises when people face situations that deeply violate their conscience or threaten their core moral values. Beth's story is a stark example of this. She and her family were ostracized by a close friend due to their vaccination status. This act of exclusion, along with the general atmosphere of fear and division during the pandemic, deeply wounded Beth's faith in the goodness of