Effectiveness of Scientoons in Combating the Covid-19 Infodemic: A Study

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic not only triggered a global health crisis but also an infodemic, characterized by the rapid spread of both accurate as well as misleading information. This confusion, fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories, hindered effective crisis management. To address the issue, present paper discusses a "Scientoonic" approach-a blend of scientific communication and visual storytelling with humor-to manage information flow during health crises. By combining clear, fact-based messages with engaging formats like cartoons, the scientoonic model aims to combat misinformation, enhance public understanding, and build trust in scientific guidance. The paper explores this approach's theoretical foundations, reviews case studies from the Covid-19 infodemic, and assesses its potential for improving information dissemination in future global health emergencies.