The covid-19 pandemic as an open debate: The spanish case

Abstract

This paper analyzes the basic lines of the political management of health crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic (acronym of the coronavirus disease 2019) in Spain. In this regard, several public debates involving scientific, political, economic, and social aspects of this socio-scientific controversy were explored. Although most viewpoints focus on the Spanish case (specifically the debates on the economy in terms of health, as well as trust and credibility in institutions), it also addresses the debate on the origin of coronavirus, international in scope. Using a qualitative methodology, it is analyzed the discourse of an intentional sample of public messages. It is concluded that three lessons must be drawn: Global response, centralization of competencies or better coordination in Spanish territory, and a rigorous, coordinated, serious and transparent communication plan. Regarding the management of covid-19 comparative studies are pointed out with the goal of elucidating structural and conjunctural factors.