Epidemiology, Sociology, and the Social Sciences: Evaluating the Philippine Government’s Scientific Response to COVID-19

Abstract

This article examines the inadequacy of the Philippine government’s scientific response against the COVID-19 pandemic, given the societal dimension of the virus. Applying sociological imagination and insights, specifically from Actor-Network Theory, and drawing from some secondary sources and previous research studies on COVID-19 pandemic, it argues that the Philippine government’s epidemiological approach is insufficient without the contribution of the holistic and qualitative approaches of sociology and the social sciences to fully understand and respond to the current crisis. COVID-19 pandemic is both a medical and social problem, thus, needing some sociological research and perspectives. It recommends that the Philippine government must include not only epidemiologists and health experts in its national response team, but also sociologists and social scientists in order to effectively address the social and cultural dimensions of the problem. © Common Ground Research Networks, Vivencio O. Ballano, All Rights Reserved.