The Different Ways We Judge Risk in a Pandemic

In a recent article in National Geographic, “Struggling to assess pandemic risks? You’re not alone,” Jillian Kramer weaves together interviews with several scientists who are experts on risk perception and explains how humans calculate risks, like whether to get vaccinated or wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientists point out that we largely perceive risk based on our intuitive—rather than deliberative—response to stimuli. Other factors that affect our perception of risk include the optimistic bias, psychic numbing, and our sense of control over an event. For example, some people are more afraid to fly in an airplane than drive a car because when they drive, they feel in control, even if this control is illusory because you can’t control other drivers.

Read the full article here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/struggling-to-assess-pandemic-risks-youre-not-alone