Moment of ethics and union

In an article published on 17/05, in the Jornal Correio Braziliense, Edson Vismona, president of ETCO, talks about the importance of acting ethically and how this behavior can help us to overcome both the health and the economic crisis.

Edson Vismona, article published in the Jornal Correio Braziliense, 17/05/2020
01/09/2020

We are at a time when social contact with people is not recommended. We cannot hug, kiss, hold hands. However, more than ever, it is necessary to be supportive and understand the importance of unity in order to make the best of this period of social confinement that aims to control the pandemic of the new coronavirus. People and companies need to have this attitude. It is not the time to collect fines for those who cannot travel, to increase prices without justification, to take advantage of high demand or to have any other attitude that runs away from ethics, solidarity and gestures of humanity. In fact, individually and corporately, we need to assume our responsibilities were for the collective and, especially, the most vulnerable.

We will expand the positive initiatives of industry, commerce and services, which are maintaining the employment of their employees, supporting the efforts of governments, assisting in social projects - such as donations from private companies in the expansion of hospital beds in São Paulo or companies that produced and donated alcohol gel and supplies to hospitals and health institutions. Without forgetting the countless initiatives of groups of volunteers collecting and distributing food to the poorest population.

Solidarity actions make us “more” human and must infect everyone. These examples, at the time of a war effort, should guide us in the future by strengthening our coexistence.

But, all this will pass and the question remains: how will we react later? What will be left? How will we be able to resume the economy? There are many uncertainties that afflict us at that moment.

Difficult decisions are being made, many unpopular. May this courageous stance encourage us and, once this tragedy is overcome, awaken in our leaders the effective commitment to carry out structural reforms, so that Brazil faces and overcomes its historic challenges.

We have to stop thinking about the next election, but about the fate of our society. This is the path we must follow. The moment calls for calm, yes, but urgency in the humanitarian aspects, in the convergence of purposes and a lot of discernment to make the country react as quickly as possible and can continue with the necessary changes.

Edson Vismona is a lawyer, president of  (ETCO), was Secretary of Justice and Defense of Citizenship of the State of São Paulo (2000/2002).