Editorial: Science in a time of crisis: communication, engagement and the lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

[Excerpt] When we opened the call for this Research Topic in the summer of 2020, we never imagined that nearly 2 years later, we would be nearing 500 Million COVID cases worldwide, still debating COVID restrictions, continuing to argue about vaccine mandates, and wondering when or even if we’ll see a final coronavirus surge or variant. The editors of this Research Topic have shared experiences, including multiple national lockdowns, quarantines due to exposure, or potential exposure. We have experienced separation from family and friends during times of love and loss and we have seen the rise of physical violence as a response to restrictions, which we have never witnessed before. In other ways, our lived experiences reflect the diversity of the countries where we live, with divergent political discourse about science and risk, different local/national mask requirements or bans, and diverse responses to COVID vaccines. [...]