«What pandemic? »: experiences of COVID-19 skeptics in Alajuela, Costa Rica

Abstract

Introduction

Skepticism towards COVID-19 refers to people’s lack of trust in the severity of the virus’ effects, as well as in the health measures related to it. This article focuses on the experiences of five skeptical people in 2020 in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Objectives

(i) Identify the motivations for skepticism in five people from Alajuela, (ii) understand these people’s lived experiences in 2020, and (iii) evaluate the perception that non-skeptical people have towards COVID-19 skepticism.

Method and technique

I conducted semi-structured interviews through telephone calls with five skeptical people and three non-skeptical people, from the south part of the province of Alajuela.

Results

The skepticism in the people interviewed was motivated by: (i) experiences of family members who had a favorable process when contracting COVID-19, (ii) lack of trust in government institutions and the media, and (iii) religious beliefs that influenced their perceptions of the virus. In general, the experiences of skeptical people during the pandemic were less stressful than those of non-skeptics, who perceive skepticism as an irresponsible attitude.

Conclusion

I observed a correlation between skepticism about COVID-19 and the socio-economic and political situation of the country. In specific cases, lack of trust in the government led to the rejection of the sanitary measures it imposed.