PSS215: Explain how risk perception may illuminate public debates about Covid-19 vaccinations and vaccine hesitancy: Introduction to Disaster Risk and Resilience Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

Conventional disaster risk preparedness planning followed government perspectives of risks and “hard science” approaches to risk reduction.  These biases often downplay the role of risk perception in determining individuals’ responses to disaster mitigation measures.  Risk perception research highlights how individuals, even when presented with “hard science” facts about specific risks, may often not behave as officials and researchers would have expected.

Comparing Singapore with countries where vocal anti-vaccine groups have staged protests:

a) Explain how risk perception may illuminate public debates about Covid-19 vaccinations and vaccine hesitancy.

b) Analyse how the Singapore authorities could do more to counter the proliferation of risk perceptions about vaccines that could increase some individuals’ risk vulnerability