Options for use of charitable sharing for protection of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic – experience from the Czech Republic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a new situation in the modern history of the world. The governments of individual countries are now being forced to adopt unprecedented measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. However, these measures are associated with significant social, psychological and economic impacts. A tool must thus be found which can on the one hand contribute towards protection of public health and on the other hand restrict the negative impacts of governmental regulations. One such tool is charitable sharing. The aim of the study is, on the basis of experience from the Czech Republic, to identify forms of charitable sharing which contribute towards protection of public health during the current COVID-19 pandemic. On the basis of qualitative content analysis, forms of sharing have been identified which are currently being created in reaction to the pandemic based on the initiatives of individuals, companies and research organisations. Inspirational examples of good practice are presented in the form of case study, consisting in sharing of production capacities, the capacities of laboratories, technologies, material, time, information, knowledge or cultural productions. The findings from this study can be used for both creation of policies and formulation of effective measures for handling the current and future emergencies, as well as for development of positive practice in individual countries.