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Abstract
The UK's high COVID-19 death rate in early 2021 contrasted with its prior ranking as a pandemic-prepared nation. This paper examines the imagined publics within the UK's scientific advice system, revealing two co-constructed narratives: a 'freedom-loving' public resisting stringent interventions and a wartime-echoing 'all in it together' public. The analysis charts the tensions between these imagined publics and the exacerbated pre-existing social inequalities, highlighting how these imaginaries influenced scientific advice and policy decisions.
Publisher
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Published On
Jul 29, 2024
Authors
Rokia Ballo, Warren Pearce, Jack Stilgoe, James Wilsdon
Tags
COVID-19
public narratives
scientific advice
social inequalities
policy decisions
UK pandemic response

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