Navigating Distrust and Competing Priorities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In an article published in Frontiers in Public Health, Commissioner Jorge Saavedra et al. studied the factors behind the lack of coordinated government action towards addressing COVID-19 in Florida.

After performing a qualitative analysis of 25 interviews, the authors found that the public’s distrust of science and competing priorities resulted in an insufficient government response. First, distrust was caused by a lack of data, transparency, and communication between the public and the scientific community. Second, COVID-19 was perceived as a competing governmental priority with economic and individual rights. The authors conclude that a possible way forward requires a new approach to public health that prioritizes trust and core collective values.

Read the full article, originally published on November 17, 2025.

Read the full article, originally published on November 17, 20