scholarly journals Understanding Coronavirus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Rabadan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Media ◽  
Conflicting Messages ◽  
Unproven Therapies

Since the identification of the first cases of the coronavirus in December 2019, there has been a significant amount of confusion regarding the origin and spread of the so-called 'coronavirus', SARS-CoV-2, and the cause of the disease COVID-19. Conflicting messages from the media and officials across different countries and organizations, the abundance of disparate sources of information, unfounded conspiracy theories on the origins of the virus, unproven therapies, and inconsistent public health measures, have all served to increase anxiety in the population. Where did the virus come from? How is it transmitted? How does it cause disease? Is it like flu? What is a pandemic? In this concise and accessible introduction, a leading expert provides answers to these commonly asked questions. This revised and updated edition now also covers how the virus mutates, how important these mutations are, how vaccines work, and what we can expect in the near and long-term future.

scholarly journals Vaccine-Hesitant Parents' Considerations Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination of Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erga Atad ◽  
Itamar Netzer ◽  
Orr Peleg ◽  
Keren Landsman ◽  
Dalyot Keren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Short Development Time ◽  
Vaccine Promotion

Introduction: Israel led a rapid vaccine rollout against COVID-19, leading to a local remission of the epidemic and rolling back of most public health measures. Further vaccination of 12-15-year-olds may be hindered by public perceptions of the necessity and safety of vaccination. Methods: we examined the considerations of vaccine hesitant parents (VHPs) regarding vaccination of children against COVID-19. The responses of 456 parents were surveyed and analyzed before FDA authorization of vaccination of children. Results: parents who were vaccinated against COVID-19 were more likely to intend to vaccinate their children (r=-0.466, p<0.01). Low accessibility of vaccination may be a dissuading factor for VHPs more inclined to vaccinate. Vaccine efficacy and gaining a "Green Pass" were positively associated with an intention to vaccinate and statistically significant. VHPs inclined not to vaccinate indicated short development time and possible long term effects as dissuading factors. Discussion: vaccine promotion should be tailored for VHPs' positive and negative considerations for higher uptake.

scholarly journals Mass Media and Health Communication During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Ms. Asfiya Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Media ◽  
Healthy Behaviour

Importance of specialized health communication has been demonstrated fully during the recent COVID 19 pandemic. New variants of the virus continue to emerge, the larger portion of the country’s population remains unvaccinated, and booster doses are becoming essential. Therefore, the need for sustained interest in health communication through mass media is far from over. Health communication helps public understand the threat and make informed choices about the preventive measures and treatment. Done effectively, it can produce behaviour change, prevent panic and ensure the participation of populations in governments’ public health measures. Healthcare sector possesses the necessary knowledge to impart this information to the media industry which is largely unstructured and learning from experiences. Therefore, the healthcare sector needs to communicate effectively with the mass media representatives in order to influence the population in adopting and continuing healthy behaviour to fight the pandemic.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and the “Film Your Hospital” Conspiracy Theory: Social Network Analysis of Twitter Data (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasim Ahmed ◽  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Matthew S Katz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Conspiracy Theory ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Twitter Data

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of conspiracy theories have emerged. A popular theory posits that the pandemic is a hoax and suggests that certain hospitals are “empty.” Research has shown that accepting conspiracy theories increases the likelihood that an individual may ignore government advice about social distancing and other public health interventions. Due to the possibility of a second wave and future pandemics, it is important to gain an understanding of the drivers of misinformation and strategies to mitigate it. OBJECTIVE This study set out to evaluate the #FilmYourHospital conspiracy theory on Twitter, attempting to understand the drivers behind it. More specifically, the objectives were to determine which online sources of information were used as evidence to support the theory, the ratio of automated to organic accounts in the network, and what lessons can be learned to mitigate the spread of such a conspiracy theory in the future. METHODS Twitter data related to the #FilmYourHospital hashtag were retrieved and analyzed using social network analysis across a 7-day period from April 13-20, 2020. The data set consisted of 22,785 tweets and 11,333 Twitter users. The Botometer tool was used to identify accounts with a higher probability of being bots. RESULTS The most important drivers of the conspiracy theory are ordinary citizens; one of the most influential accounts is a Brexit supporter. We found that YouTube was the information source most linked to by users. The most retweeted post belonged to a verified Twitter user, indicating that the user may have had more influence on the platform. There was a small number of automated accounts (bots) and deleted accounts within the network. CONCLUSIONS Hashtags using and sharing conspiracy theories can be targeted in an effort to delegitimize content containing misinformation. Social media organizations need to bolster their efforts to label or remove content that contains misinformation. Public health authorities could enlist the assistance of influencers in spreading antinarrative content.

scholarly journals Towards the Other Side of Complexity: Values and Decisions in a Time of Uncertainty

2021 ◽  
pp. 211-214
Author(s):  
Marcelo Knobel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
The Other ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Great Uncertainty ◽  
Short Time ◽  
First Time

AbstractHumanity is experiencing a moment of great uncertainty. This is not the first time a pandemic threatens the lives of millions of people. However, the speed with which governments and scientists are reacting to events is unprecedented. In an incredibly short time after the discovery of the virus, public health measures were implemented, and the development of defences in the form of public policies, medical therapies, and vaccines began. At this precarious moment, when the proliferation of information (and misinformation) from a variety of sources contribute to the spread of panic, universities and the scientific community emerge as the best and most reliable sources of information. It is only highly qualified specialists who can truly address the pandemic and its terrible economic, political, and public health consequences.

scholarly journals Policy response, social media and science journalism for the sustainability of the public health system amid the COVID-19 outbreak: The Vietnam lessons

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viet-Phuong La ◽  
Thanh-Hang Pham ◽  
Toan Manh Ho ◽  
NGUYỄN Minh Hoàng ◽  
Nguyen Phuc Khanh Linh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Policy Response ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Science Community ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government

Having geographical proximity and a high volume of trade with China, the first country to record an outbreak of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Vietnam was expected to have a high risk of transmission. However, as of 4 April 2020, in comparison to attempts to containing the disease around the world, responses from Vietnam are seen as prompt and effective in protecting the interests of its citizens, with 239 confirmed cases and no fatalities. This study analyzes the situation in terms of Vietnam’s policy response, social media and science journalism. A self-made web crawl engine was used to scan and collect official media news related to COVID-19 between the beginning of January and April 4, yielding a comprehensive dataset of 14,952 news items. The findings shed light on how Vietnam—despite being under-resourced—has demonstrated political readiness to combat the emerging pandemic since the earliest days. Timely communication on any developments of the outbreak from the government and the media, combined with up-to-date research on the new virus by the Vietnamese science community, have altogether provided reliable sources of information. By emphasizing the need for immediate and genuine cooperation between government, civil society and private individuals, the case study offers valuable lessons for other nations concerning not only the concurrent fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also the overall responses to a public health crisis.

scholarly journals Individually Optimal Choices can be Collectively Disastrous in COVID-19 Disease Control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Stoddard ◽  
Debra Van Egeren ◽  
Kaitlyn Johnson ◽  
Smriti Rao ◽  
Josh Furgeson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Complete Suppression ◽  
Natural Immunity ◽  
Endemic Disease ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The word ‘pandemic’ conjures dystopian images of bodies stacked in the streets and societies on the brink of collapse. Despite this frightening picture, denialism and noncompliance with public health measures are common in the historical record, for example during the 1918 Influenza pandemic or the 2015 Ebola epidemic. The unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2—its high basic reproduction number (R0), time-limited natural immunity and considerable potential for asymptomatic spread—exacerbate the public health repercussions of noncompliance with interventions (such as vaccines and masks) to limit disease transmission. Our work explores the rationality and impact of noncompliance with COVID-19 disease control measures. Methods: In this work, we used game theory to explore when noncompliance confers a perceived benefit to individuals. We then used epidemiological modeling to predict the impact of noncompliance on control of COVID-19, demonstrating that the presence of a noncompliant subpopulation prevents suppression of disease spread. Results: Our modeling demonstrating that noncompliance is a Nash equilibrium under a broad set of conditions, and that the existence of a noncompliant population can result in extensive endemic disease in the long-term after a return to pre-pandemic social and economic activity. Endemic disease poses a threat for both compliant and noncompliant individuals; all community members are protected if complete suppression is achieved, which is only possible with a high degree of compliance. For interventions that are highly effective at preventing disease spread, however, the consequences of noncompliance are borne disproportionately by noncompliant individuals. Conclusions: In sum, our work demonstrates the limits of free-market approaches to compliance with disease control measures during a pandemic. The act of noncompliance with disease intervention measures creates a negative externality, rendering COVID-19 disease control ineffective in the short term and making complete suppression impossible in the long term. Our work underscores the importance of developing effective strategies for prophylaxis through public health measures aimed at complete suppression and the need to focus on compliance at a population level.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and the “Film Your Hospital” Conspiracy Theory: Social Network Analysis of Twitter Data

10.2196/22374 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e22374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasim Ahmed ◽  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Matthew S Katz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Conspiracy Theory ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Twitter Data

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of conspiracy theories have emerged. A popular theory posits that the pandemic is a hoax and suggests that certain hospitals are “empty.” Research has shown that accepting conspiracy theories increases the likelihood that an individual may ignore government advice about social distancing and other public health interventions. Due to the possibility of a second wave and future pandemics, it is important to gain an understanding of the drivers of misinformation and strategies to mitigate it. Objective This study set out to evaluate the #FilmYourHospital conspiracy theory on Twitter, attempting to understand the drivers behind it. More specifically, the objectives were to determine which online sources of information were used as evidence to support the theory, the ratio of automated to organic accounts in the network, and what lessons can be learned to mitigate the spread of such a conspiracy theory in the future. Methods Twitter data related to the #FilmYourHospital hashtag were retrieved and analyzed using social network analysis across a 7-day period from April 13-20, 2020. The data set consisted of 22,785 tweets and 11,333 Twitter users. The Botometer tool was used to identify accounts with a higher probability of being bots. Results The most important drivers of the conspiracy theory are ordinary citizens; one of the most influential accounts is a Brexit supporter. We found that YouTube was the information source most linked to by users. The most retweeted post belonged to a verified Twitter user, indicating that the user may have had more influence on the platform. There was a small number of automated accounts (bots) and deleted accounts within the network. Conclusions Hashtags using and sharing conspiracy theories can be targeted in an effort to delegitimize content containing misinformation. Social media organizations need to bolster their efforts to label or remove content that contains misinformation. Public health authorities could enlist the assistance of influencers in spreading antinarrative content.

scholarly journals The role movies play in alcohol consumption by youths

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susannah R. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Real People ◽  
The Media

Alcohol use and misuse among young people continue to be a major public health concern, despite decades of initiatives aimed at educating young people about the hazards of alcohol. Yet where do young people learn about alcohol use? How do they form attitudes about the effects and risks of drinking? Increasing evidence suggests that young people learn not only from real people (e.g. peers and parents) in their everyday lives but also from characters whose lives they witness through the media. In fact, the mass media have been recognised as significant sources of information about substance use that can influence young people's beliefs and expectations (Bahk, 2001; Sargent et al, 2002).

scholarly journals A Healer's Uncertain State of Mind in COVID-19 Pandemic

BioMedica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2S) ◽  
pp. 47-50
Author(s):  
Zeenaf Aslam ◽  
Mansoor Ghani ◽  
Samina Kauser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Conflicting Messages ◽  
Financial Losses

<p>Current plight of COVID-19 in developing countries entails uncertain prognosis, impending severe shortages of resources for testing and treatment and inadequate safety measure for health care providers. The imposition of unfamiliar public health measures that may infringe on personal freedoms, large and growing financial losses, and conflicting messages from authorities are among the other major stressors that undoubtedly will contribute to widespread emotional distress and increased risk for mental fatigue associated with COVID-19.</p>

scholarly journals Policy response, social media and science journalism for the sustainability of the public health system amid the COVID-19 outbreak: The Vietnam lessons

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viet-Phuong La ◽  
Thanh-Hang Pham ◽  
Toan Manh Ho ◽  
NGUYỄN Minh Hoàng ◽  
Nguyen Phuc Khanh Linh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Policy Response ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Science Community ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government

Having geographical proximity and a high volume of trade with China, the first country to record an outbreak of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Vietnam was expected to have a high risk of transmission. However, as of 4 April 2020, in comparison to attempts to containing the disease around the world, responses from Vietnam are seen as prompt and effective in protecting the interests of its citizens, with 239 confirmed cases and no fatalities. This study analyzes the situation in terms of Vietnam’s policy response, social media and science journalism. A self-made web crawl engine was used to scan and collect official media news related to COVID-19 between the beginning of January and April 4, yielding a comprehensive dataset of 14,952 news items. The findings shed light on how Vietnam—despite being under-resourced—has demonstrated political readiness to combat the emerging pandemic since the earliest days. Timely communication on any developments of the outbreak from the government and the media, combined with up-to-date research on the new virus by the Vietnamese science community, have altogether provided reliable sources of information. By emphasizing the need for immediate and genuine cooperation between government, civil society and private individuals, the case study offers valuable lessons for other nations concerning not only the concurrent fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also the overall responses to a public health crisis.

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