Whose fears count? Legitimacy, trust and viral outbreak responses after COVID-19.

Grais, Rebecca F · PLoS Med · 2026

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Abstract

COVID-19 transformed viral outbreak response from a predominantly public health challenge into a political and security concern. Recent responses to Ebola, mpox, and other emerging infections suggest that preparedness is increasingly shaped by whose fears are prioritized in decision-making. The challenge is ensuring that competing perceptions of risk are managed in ways that are perceived as legitimate, fair, and inclusive.

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