The Many Ways We Helped Each Other During COVID

A new study explored what altruism looked like during the pandemic and how we might encourage more altruism in the future.

Coming together during times of crisis and helping each other, is what it means to be part of a community, and that altruism is not as common as we once thought. Shutterstock

When the pandemic first came to California and lockdowns were instituted, many of my neighbors set out to help each other. Some called elderly neighbors to be sure they were OK. Others collaborated with local restaurants to create a low-cost food delivery service, feeding people around the city while helping restaurants find a source of income during closures. Still others began a drive to collect masks for essential workers.

These acts of altruism warmed my heart. But what motivated some neighbors to step up to do this, while others didn’t? And is altruism enough when it comes to disaster relief?