Tuesday, July 12, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. MDT

During the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, technical and operational aspects have driven policy and practice. Public trust, however, is just as critical—perhaps even more so—to controlling the virus and its cascading clinical, social, and economic effects. The public’s trust in government, public health, and their fellow humans have influenced vaccine uptake, mask wearing, physical distancing, and school reopenings. In some cases, lack of trust has sparked conflict and collective protest. Panelists will investigate why trustworthiness and social cohesion are essential to managing infectious disease outbreaks, how health authorities can earn and keep public trust during an epidemic, and what kinds of trust-building—starting now—can help to resolve the COVID-19 pandemic sooner and build resilience for future public health emergencies.