GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SOCIETY: AN EVIDENCE FROM SOCIETAL MYTHS ABOUT COVID-19

Abstract

Pakistan has Science, Technology and Innovation policies (19984, 1993, 2012)  that aim S&T development but this research argues that policies lack inclusion of  ociety. This study uses myths develops in society about the origin and vaccination  of COVID-19 as evidence for the missed opportunities create due to a mismatch  between scientific knowledge supply and demand . A sharp divide in the opinion of public on the origin of virus, persistent denial to follow standard operating  Procedures (SoPs) during cultural and religious rituals and further establishing  doubt on vaccination and inoculation process creates a dangerous public health  issue. It is a high time to network the science, cultural, religious actors to  distinguish between the scientific knowledge from the non- scientific knowledge to develop awareness in public about COVID-19 specifically and other health  related misconceptions generally. The national science agenda is needed to be  revised using the evidence based on societal response during COVID-19.