In a War with the Virus: Science, People and Politics

Abstract

The world, attacked by a malicious virus in the last quarter of the year 2019 termed it as SARS-CoV-2 (WHO) and manifestation of the ‘disease’ caused due to this virus was dubbed as COVID-19. Transmitting through respiratory-tract, it has already impacted millions of people, with a high mortality in vulnerable age groups.  It is reckoned that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is a major public health concern with equally dire health consequences with critical environmental and economic impacts. Scientific community developed multiple vaccines and repurposed drugs for the COVID-19; however, the vaccination against this pathogen still throws a huge challenge of low uptake across the world. There are two dimensions to COVID-19 vaccination programme, i.e. ensuring equitable access and the positive behaviour change marketing strategies.  People acknowledge that this pandemic is primarily a ‘behavioural practices’ issue, including at community levels. The outrage of the ‘infodemic’ (spread of misinformation) is gaining currency especially through social media and digital space. The technical area of health communication has assumed a high-level of tilted ‘political communication’ in many countries. It is, therefore, time to witness more of science in politics than politics in science.  The article includes a key informant interview with a former WHO expert.