Managing Science Communication in a Pandemic

This chapter begins with a discussion about the essential nature of science communication and the known and unknown complexities of moving science into the public realm where it can be leveraged. It provides an inescapable truth of human society-pandemics. Hard data, the lifeblood of communication science, is indispensable to the monitoring and tracking of viruses like COVID-19, and eventually serves a support function in mitigation strategies. This chapter highlights how communication science can serve as a strategy for mitigating the horrendous effects of COVID-19 and perhaps other viruses confronting us in the future. Effective surveillance that produces solid and actionable intelligence is key to addressing epidemics or pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic brought many devastating heartbreaks to people across the globe. Information technology must be included in any strategic plan for mitigating and responding to extreme events such as pandemics. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.