As the frightening number of infections and deaths from covid19 continues to escalate, the challenges facing the government are quite pressing in terms of administration and accountability.

Notably, the consequences are physical, social and psychological.

The psychological are the uncertainties that create widespread fear and rumours. When will the epidemic end? Is the vaccine really effective? Will one shot prevent me from getting it? When exactly will sufficient vaccines be available? Can I recover if infected? Are all vaccines equally effective? Are the authorities hiding something?

Such uncertainties, locally and globally, leave space for fear and rumour.

Fear is supposed to close ranks. It seems to have the opposite effect here.

A high-blown controversy remains lingering over whether or not the virus emanated from a leak at a Wuhan laboratory. Former US President Donald Trump insisted on calling it the 'China virus.'

During the last three weeks, on several Asian television stations, an unsettling debate continued over an alleged proposal made five years ago by two scientists working in a Wuhan laboratory that a virus can be made and used as a 'weapon of war.' This idea is nothing new. Biological warfare is a continuing threat.

But the allegation by several scientists that a 'leak' from the Wuhan lab contributed to the virus spread remains controversial. Rumour or fact?

Chinese virologist Li Meng Yan alleged on several television interviews (eg WION TV, Republic TV) that the 'leak' and 'weapon of war' proposal are true. The Chinese government called her allegation 'far-fetched.'

Then later on WION television, Prof Giuseppe Tritto, biochemist and president of the World Academy of Bio-Medical Sciences and Technology, told interviewer Palki Sharma that he supports Dr Men Yan's allegation and accuses China of a 'cover-up.' Television interviewer Sharma said the CIA 'is investigating' the allegations. The Chinese authorities have expressed denials. Last week, Chinese ambassador to this country Fang Qui expressed regrets over such allegations while pointing out the various ways in which China is helping the world in fighting covid19.

The point here is the extent to which important aspects of covid19 remain shrouded in controversy and rumours. A local example is the claim by UNC MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, citing international reports, that the Sinopharm vaccine is being used on us here as an experiment.

The government issued stern denials. Also, two UNC MPs, Dr Lackram Bodoe and Dr Rai Ragbir, disagreeing with Dr Moonilal, supported the WHO-approved Sinopharm vaccine. Former UNC MP Dr Suruj Rambachan called upon both government and the UNC to 'stop the political sparring in the public interest.'

The media themselves face a dilemma. While they accommodate free speech and right to reply, there is collateral damage. Misinformation, rumour and truth remain blurred.

In his well-researched book Rumours, Jean-Noel Kapferer presents three major ways to correct or prevent rumours: firstly, the p