What Cost Scientific Illiteracy in Time of Global Pandemic?

Abstract

This paper traces the course of the ongoing pandemic as it was reported in some of the established world media as well as in scientific journals. The author has been following the various sources since practically the begining of the pandemic in Europe and here will try to assess the role and the actual practice of scientists, politicians and other actors throughout the pandemic, from its begining in China at the close of 2019 till end of February 2021. The key questions addressed in this paper are: Why the events of the ongoing pandemic unfolded as they did, with so many misguided decisions by politicians (as well as experts at times), with so much misinformation and fake news and so many missed opportunities for decisive and life-changing action? What is the reason behind prolonged intervals of silence in the communication chain? And what cost the insufficient familiarity with science – its facts, methods or means of communication – in the time of global pandemic? The main thesis is that the insufficient level of scientific knowledge – and at times of basic scientific litteracy – as witnessed from the highest places of political power to the so called conspiracy theorists, costed us all too many lives lost and an unforseeable suffering to come. The responsibility is shared between virtually all actors and it must be given due consideration, in some cases even at the courts of justice, if we are to learn all the valuable lessons for the future of public health, world economy and, indeed, the survival of humanity.