Science literacy is key to a healthy, green future

Whenever I am asked to explain the importance of scientific literacy, I share an anecdote about my relatives hoarding a “COVID-19 cure” when the epidemic started.

Shortly after the outbreak occurred in Wuhan, Hubei province, scientists and the media reported that Shuanghuanglian, a traditional Chinese medicine for treating the common cold, was effective at suppressing the growth of the novel coronavirus, based on preliminary in vitro data.

Although the jury was still out on the drug’s efficacy, the news spurred massive panic buying of the liquid, so much so that all stockpiles were immediately pulled from the internet.

The night the news broke, my father-in-law drove around Beijing and waited outside local drugstores in the freezing cold trying to secure a few boxes of the medication.

To no one’s surprise, he developed a fever and cough the next day, but he thought he had the virus. I explained to him that he had just caught a cold and that a genuine patient would also have gastrointestinal symptoms.

The next day, he called again, saying he was certain he had the virus because he had diarrhea.

I asked: “Did you drink too much Shuanghuanglian? Because that can cause diarrhea too.” He replied with a laugh, “How did you know?”

A few weeks later, a relative from Hunan province called, saying he had bought Shuanghuanglian, but didn’t know how to take it. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw a photo of the bottle because the medicine was for farm animals and poultry.

Why share these old face-palming stories today? Because not too long ago, we had world leaders suggesting that people should inject disinfectant to combat the virus.

We still have people touting ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug for humans and animals, as a miracle COVID-19 cure, based on a handful of flawed studies.

Just recently, I had a strong sense of deja vu when I saw how the world and the media panicked at the emergence of the new omicron variant, as though we all had forgotten how the delta variant triggered the same overreaction.

It strengthened my conviction that as a science reporter and communicator simply conveying scientific knowledge is not enough, especially when the “facts” regarding a new subject can change over time.

People must familiarize themselves with how science and scientists work, and cultivate their ability to weigh and evaluate the products of science to make informed decisions.

If scientific knowledge is to truly spur public action, reporters should communicate in language that is scientifically accurate, honest and clear, so we can properly present the facts and a sense of urgency about the pandemic, climate change and other global challenges.

At the very least, improved scientific literacy would help us develop stronger immunity against charlatans who would exploit our ignorance.