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The COVID-19 pandemic: how can risk science help?

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  • Terje Aven
  • Frederic Bouder

Abstract

This paper reflects on how risk science, with its concepts, principles, approaches, methods and models, can support the actual assessments, communication and handling of the vulnerabilities and risks related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. We highlight the importance of acknowledging uncertainty as a main component of risk, in order to properly characterize and communicate risk, as well as to understand the difference between professional risk judgements and risk perception. We challenge the use of the commonly referred to phrase that the policies adopted are science-based, in a situation like this characterized by fundamental uncertainties about the underlying phenomena and the effects of possible interventions. Arguments are provided for a ‘balanced’ use of precaution, combined with adaptive management and learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Terje Aven & Frederic Bouder, 2020. "The COVID-19 pandemic: how can risk science help?," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7-8), pages 849-854, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:23:y:2020:i:7-8:p:849-854
    DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2020.1756383
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    Cited by:

    1. Zbyslaw Dobrowolski & Grzegorz Drozdowski & Monika Dobrowolska & Janusz Sobon & Dariusz Sobon, 2021. "Economic Calculus and Weak Signals: Prevention Against Foggy Bottom," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 165-174.
    2. Ali Zackery & Joseph Amankwah-Amoah & Zahra Heidari Darani & Shiva Ghasemi, 2022. "COVID-19 Research in Business and Management: A Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-32, August.
    3. Irene Mussio & Maximiliano Sosa Andrés & Abdul H Kidwai, 2023. "Higher order risk attitudes in the time of COVID-19: an experimental study," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 75(1), pages 163-182.
    4. Mohammad Amin Hariri-Ardebili, 2020. "Living in a Multi-Risk Chaotic Condition: Pandemic, Natural Hazards and Complex Emergencies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Tine Bizjak & Davor Kontić & Branko Kontić, 2022. "Practical Opportunities to Improve the Impact of Health Risk Assessment on Environmental and Public Health Decisions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Aven, Terje & Zio, Enrico, 2021. "Globalization and global risk: How risk analysis needs to be enhanced to be effective in confronting current threats," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    7. Verma, Surabhi & Gustafsson, Anders, 2020. "Investigating the emerging COVID-19 research trends in the field of business and management: A bibliometric analysis approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 253-261.
    8. Mohammad Amin Hariri-Ardebili & Siamak Sattar & Katherine Johnson & Christopher Clavin & Juan Fung & Luis Ceferino, 2022. "A Perspective towards Multi-Hazard Resilient Systems: Natural Hazards and Pandemics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-29, April.
    9. Grzegorz Drozdowski & Joanna Rogozińska-Mitrut & Jacek Stasiak, 2021. "The Empirical Analysis of the Core Competencies of the Company’s Resource Management Risk. Preliminary Study," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-12, June.
    10. Grzegorz Drozdowski, 2021. "Economic Calculus Qua an Instrument to Support Sustainable Development under Increasing Risk," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.

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