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Shaming, calling people idiots, and even labeling people anti-science will likely have the opposite effect of what we need in the U.S..
This is a marathon, so if you're going to talk about COVID on social, here are some evidenced based suggestions.
This is a marathon, so if you're going to talk about COVID on social, here are some evidenced based suggestions.
1. Model good behavior. From everyone in govt down to kiddos on their bike. There is huge power in normalization of behavior.
2. Consistency. Trust comes from regular, consistent information. We need more messengers, not less. This also can't be the only thing we talk about.
2. Consistency. Trust comes from regular, consistent information. We need more messengers, not less. This also can't be the only thing we talk about.
3. Empathy is your friend. People are scared and there are a TON of unknowns. This is hard - and social media isn't a great tool for this.
4. Outliers don't tell the story of the majority. A video on social media doesn't always show where most people are. Avoid sharing it.
4. Outliers don't tell the story of the majority. A video on social media doesn't always show where most people are. Avoid sharing it.
5. Counter the bad information with good information. Don't just focus on debunking, but provide a counter narrative.
6. Action. Talk about what you are doing in your community. Simple things others can do.
6. Action. Talk about what you are doing in your community. Simple things others can do.
Good sourcing on pandemic communication: https://ccp.jhu.edu/2020/03/17/communicating-about-coronavirus/
https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_Messages_and_Audiences.pdf
https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_Messages_and_Audiences.pdf
Some examples of promoting action!
1. Support the vulnerable. Cities have senior phone banks to ensure they don't feel alone. Here's Chattanoogas. https://connect.chattanooga.gov/covid/phonebank/
1. Support the vulnerable. Cities have senior phone banks to ensure they don't feel alone. Here's Chattanoogas. https://connect.chattanooga.gov/covid/phonebank/
2. Speak to power! My friend @AstroKatie writing a letter of concern to her university about reopening. https://medium.com/@AstroKatie/bringing-college-students-back-to-classrooms-during-covid-19-is-a-mistake-ad3248213963
3. Engage with your local schools around their reopening plans. Many depend on school in order to go back to work - and that is a conversation happening now across the country. I've joined a couple calls here in SF - https://www.sfusd.edu/services/health-wellness/covid-19-coronavirus-resources-families-students/townhalls
There are hundreds of small things to do (I want to hear what you are doing).
But only a few things we really need to avoid. And politicizing and dividing around public health is pretty high on that list.
But only a few things we really need to avoid. And politicizing and dividing around public health is pretty high on that list.
