Populism, pestilence and plague in the time of coronavirus

Purpose This paper aims to explore right wing populist government responses the coronavirus pandemic. Design/methodology/approach is a narrative overview of right-wing policies and strategies, which loosely structured around fascistic themes set out in Albert Camus’ allegorical novel, The Plague . Findings Although individual pandemic among populists differ, they appear coalesce four central themes: initial denial then mismanagement pandemic; disease being framed as primarily an economic rather than public health crisis; contempt for scientific professional expertise; “othering” marginal groups political ends. Populist have given rise increased levels xenophobia, violation human rights denigration expertise. Research limitations/implications from personal viewpoint. Originality/value Drawing on Camus' novel , this perspective intolerance xenophobia civil liberties.