Read on Twitter
I work in the field of research and knowledge translation and this pandemic has highlighted, like many things, massive gaps in how scientific knowledge gets out to people who need it. There is such a huge need for clear, plain language messaging targeted at specific audiences.
Especially around things like “social/physical distancing” and “contact tracing” and why we should wear masks, or not.
There needs to be centralized leadership behind this messaging that responds in (close to) real time. It’s a very difficult job but needed desperately.
There needs to be centralized leadership behind this messaging that responds in (close to) real time. It’s a very difficult job but needed desperately.
The public should be given reliable, up-to-date data, explained clearly & succinctly. None of this “the public doesn’t understand epidemiology” shit. Help people understand. Make them understand. Don’t use terminology that alienates 98% of the public. Democratize knowledge.
To be fair, some public health leaders are doing this well. But I’m not sure all communications are done in a way most people can understand. When people don’t understand, conspiracies and fear abound. See, for example: https://www-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-fake-news.amp.html
Communications and knowledge sharing need to be co-produced with folks in the system — medical professionals, families, people who have received care. Lift their voices up and put them alongside your scientific experts.
Finally, all communication on #COVID19 needs a focus on health equity and disparities tied to the determinants of health. The world is not a level playing field and some populations are getting hit much, much harder. Data can be racist if they aren’t disaggregated. Name this.
Tl;dr: scientific knowledge is complicated & unless it’s communicated clearly, people get confused and the public can be harmed. Work with all people impacted by #COVID19 to share reliable information because people are smart, deserve to know, and health information saves lives.
