Abstract
The objective was to reflect on COVID-19 as a phenomenon of social representations and its implications for nursing and health. A theoretical-reflective study, guided by the precepts of social representations. Reading of scientific articles and books on social representations and official data on COVID-19 were sources for further analytical analysis in the light of theory. COVID-19 is a psycho-sociological phenomenon as it meets the criteria of relevance and practice, in addition to having an imagery and symbolic dimension that circulates in the mass media. There is a projective dimension of the disease by different social groups. The different daily behaviors express a socio-symbolic logic about the phenomenon. The criteria of relevance and practice, the image about the disease and its symbolic dimension support COVID-19 as a phenomenon of social representations, whose research has the potential to improve effective communication with the population, with a view to adherence to preventive care practices to infection.
Highlights
The existence of a new type of coronavirus in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, was confirmed in January 2020
A theoretical-reflective analysis was carried out taking as a reference the preliminary bibliographic study carried out, establishing the interfaces between COVID-19 and social representations (SR), in the defense that it conforms to a representational phenomenon
The theoretical aspects applied in understanding COVID-19 as a psycho-sociological phenomenon in this reflection provide indications of the possible elements that integrate the field of SR organization on this phenomenon – information, affections, images, attitudes, beliefs, and values. Such indications point to important implications for nursing and health professionals, which are related to the meanings constructed about COVID-19, its expressions in practice and the impacts of these actions in preventing the spread of the disease and, in controlling the pandemic
Summary
The existence of a new type of coronavirus in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, was confirmed in January 2020. Measures included mitigation, which consists of isolating suspected cases and family members to delay the spread of the epidemic and reduce the peak demand for medical care, and suppression, which means combining mitigation measures with social distancing from the entire population, with closing of schools, commerce and universities(9) Another measure recommended by the WHO was the use of masks by the general population when circulating in public environments, in order to minimize the respiratory transmission(5). In December 2020, the recommendations for social distancing, as well as for the closing of schools, were maintained, but with the coordinated return of commerce and industry activities in several cities across the country This context of widespread threat and the implemented social control measures generated disruptions, uncertainty and panic in the face of the unknown as well as questioned subjects’ existential dimension and society functioning(10). The objective was to reflect on COVID-19 as a SR phenomenon and its implications for nursing and health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
