Paper:Crisis Communication and Public Perception of COVID-19 Risk in the Era of Social Media

Crisis Communication and Public Perception of COVID-19 Risk in the Era of Social Media 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342243804_Crisis_Communication_and_Public_Perception_of_COVID-19_Risk_in_the_Era_of_Social_Media

Kristen M. C. Malecki, 1, Julie A Keating, 2 and Nasia Safdar2,3 1 Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 2 William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and 3 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 

Abstract:

A number of important principles in effective risk communication established in the late 20th century can provide important scientific insight into patient response to the risks posed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early risk communication scholars found acceptability of risk was shaped by 2 key components: hazard and outrage. The number of people who are exposed, infected, and fall ill can be considered the hazard. How the public and patients and respond to messages regarding risk mitigation relates to outrage. Social and cultural factors, immediacy, uncertainty, familiarity, personal control, scientific uncertainty, and trust in institutions and media all shape perception and response to risk mesaging. Outrage factors influence the ever-changing public understanding of COVID-19 risk. In concert, hazard and outrage along with cultural and economic context shape adherence to, and overall acceptance of, personal mitigation strategies including wearing facemasks and social distancing among the general public. The spread of misinformation on social media also provides both challenges and opportunities for clinicians. Social media offers an opportunity for experts to quickly convey true information about hazards, but offers others the opportunity to counter this with the spread of misinformation and exacerbate outrage. We propose strategies for infectious diseases clinicians to apply risk communication principles and frameworks to improve patient care and public message development in response to COVID-19. Keywords. COVID-19; risk communication; social media.

Figure 1. Crisis communication: addressing hazard + outrage during the COVID 19 pandemic. Abbreviation: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.

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