Page 18 - Science Barometer 2022

16
COVID-19 strengthened public trust
The COVID-19 pandemic also served as a stress test for social trust. It seems that science stood up to this test quite well as two in three respondents thought their trust in science and scientists had increased with the pandemic. Trust in health authorities increased as well.
On the other hand, the results showed similar signs of polarisation to those seen in attitudes towards vaccinations (see pages 32–33). Between 14% and 24% of respondents thought their trust in science, scientists and health authorities had decreased. This reflects the public debate waged during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which individual experts and authorities have occasionally come under highly visible criticism.