As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the internet emerged as a primary source of information, allowing people to become aware of the virus and how to prepare effectively. One study found information accessed during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the preparedness of Chinese netizens—active internet users—regarding the virus. According to the study, variable access to information influences how people perceive disastrous events, shaping their views on susceptibility and severity.
Researchers at Soochow University conducted an online survey to analyze what information is accessible to Chinese netizens and how this knowledge altered their perceived severity and susceptibility to the pandemic. The types of information projected in the media were narrowed down into four categories: disease knowledge (virus-related knowledge and health preventive knowledge), dynamic news (confirmed cases and deaths, advances in therapeutic drugs), government measures (preventive measures and official statements), and social news (personal experiences and storytelling, and social donations).
Findings from this survey indicate that disease knowledge, dynamic news, and government measures positively correlate with individuals’ understanding of the virus’s severity, while social news positively correlates with perceived susceptibility. The level of severity perceived is strongly associated with how prepared someone is, while susceptibility has the opposite effect.
Despite only four categories being studied, the abundance of information prompted people to take active responsibility for understanding how to act during the pandemic, while also increasing the amount of misinformation presented to the public. As misinformation and accurate data race to media sources, it complicates the process of discerning fact from fiction.
Researchers suggest that the model concerning Chinese netizens be used as a framework to eliminate variables that lead to false information during crisis events and to increase trust in health organizations. It is imperative that everyone has access to factual, comprehensive knowledge to understand the importance of risk, similar to what was necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Diya Mehta