Year: 2025
Type: editorial
Abstract: This article cautions against using the metaphor of a monster to refer to viruses in virology research, public health campaigns, and science communications for the public. In some circumstances, the harms of the fear invoked by this metaphor may outweigh the benefits of uniting the public against a common enemy and advocating for transmission prevention methods. Historical examples and a bioethics lens reveal that fear of infection can easily lead to fear of the infected .
Source: Science Communication
Author: Brittany Acors
Institution: National Institutes of Health
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410645934