A peste libera nos Domine. Dai santi ai medici divulgatori: a chi ci si affida in tempo di epidemia?

Epidemics and pandemics plagued the human existence for centuries; then, as now, the first reaction is to pray. In some Christian denominations the prayer was addressed to the saints; even today the most invoked saints are St. Rita, St. Rocco, and St. Sebastian. The Covid-19 pandemic remember us that we still have to face these types of calamities. What is the best way to communicate such a shocking event? Media and social media catch people's attention. In Italy there are different points of view about this unknown disease and the vaccine effectiveness. This is a critical situation and people are called to take a stand. Who to believe? To the saints or to the healthcare workers, the new "heroes" of Covid19 pandemic? This paper debates what health communication methods have been used since 2020 and which one should be consider the best choice. This was done by analysing data, as number of followers, of some of the physicians and communicators who have spoken about Covid-19. In the past, during epidemic and pandemic situations, people entrusted saints. Nowadays people could choose from the pantheon of these divine and deified professionals, preferring those who are more reassuring. The user needs a communicative style with which he feels informed, reassured, but at the same time listened to, understood, and not judged, just as if he were protected by a saint.