This Open Access book examines many of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic through
the distinctive lens of civility. The idea of civility appears often in both public and
academic debates and a polarized political climate frequently leads to allegations of uncivil
speech and behaviour. Norms of civility are always contested even more so in moments of crisis
such as a global pandemic. A focus on civility provides crucial insight and guidance on how to
navigate the social and political challenges resulting from COVID-19. Furthermore it offers a
framework through which citizens and policymakers can better understand the causes and
consequences of incivility and devise ways to recover civility in our social and political
lives.
