A ringside view of the dreaded covid is not what one would consider remotely desirable. As newspapers splashed the story of a likely new vaccine, I could see that the battle with the pandemic can never be won through vaccines alone. It would require a multi-pronged approach, identifying every stage of the disease, understanding the behavioural dimensions of decision-making at each stage, and designing behavioural interventions for each. How do you get people to maintain social distancing and wear masks each time they go out or socialize with people? How to tackle sentiments, where the very act of worship may be seen as providing a ring of protection?

Source: Mint November 19, 2020 15:21 UTC