Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 caused by a new form of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in China end of 2019 and quickly spread to all counties of the world. To slow down the spread of the virus and to limit the pressure on the health care systems, different regulations and recommendations have been implemented by authorities, comprising amongst others the closure of all entertainment venues and social distancing. These measures have received mixed reactions, particularly from young individuals, with many not following available advice. Drawing on the information in social media discussion forums, the present study explores the reasons why people ignore the orders and recommendations of the authorities and why the authorities are unable to produce a shared sense of inclusion concerning protective measures against the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsThree open-access social media forums (Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube comments) were systematically searched with respect to COVID-19-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of individuals. The data was retrieved in the first 3 weeks of March 2020. Qualitative document analysis and qualitative content analysis were used as the methodical approach. The data was reviewed by all authors and jointly interpreted to minimise inconsistencies.ResultsThe study reveals that reasons such as information pollution on social media, the persistence of uncertainty about the rapidly spreading virus, the impact of the social environment on the individual, and fear of unemployment associated with inequality in the distribution of income lead people to ignore the orders and recommendations of the authorities. The findings suggest that government representatives and politicians could not produce a shared sense of inclusion concerning protective measures against the COVID-19 outbreak, due to not building trust among the public and taking concrete economic steps to satisfy them.ConclusionIn uncertain crises, transparency in the presentation of information and government policies emerge as influential determinants in creating social susceptibility and solidarity. The differences between social classes constitute one of the important factors that affect the decision-making mechanisms of individuals in determining the necessary steps to be undertaken in times of crisis.
Highlights
COVID-19 caused by a new form of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in China end of 2019 and quickly spread to all counties of the world
They often began with limited measures on the local level and were soon extended to the closure of national borders and, severe restrictions on everyday life. Sanctions such as the closure of hotels, restaurants and other entertainment venues, the cancellation of all public meetings, the closure of schools and universities, in some places the subsequent declaration of a curfew are examples of notable measures taken to reduce the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 infections. Aside from these structural measures, almost all national and regional governments in the world have issued different sets of recommendations or regulations, oftentimes implemented as decrees, on how its people should change their behaviour in order to decrease the risk of both contracting SARS-CoV-2 and passing it to others, especially those at particular risk for a severe course of COVID-19
Information pollution on social media Despite uncertainty concerning SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, numerous interpretations and comments made in different areas and reinterpretation of information by second and third parties have led to ‘infollution’, misleading advice, and confusion on social media
Summary
COVID-19 caused by a new form of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in China end of 2019 and quickly spread to all counties of the world. Basic protective measures taken by local and national authorities to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2, to limit the pressure on the health care systems, and to curb the number of COVID-19-related causalities have been implemented all over the world They often began with limited measures on the local level and were soon extended to the closure of national borders and, severe restrictions on everyday life. Sanctions such as the closure of hotels, restaurants and other entertainment venues, the cancellation of all public meetings, the closure of schools and universities, in some places the subsequent declaration of a curfew are examples of notable measures taken to reduce the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections Aside from these structural measures, almost all national and regional governments in the world have issued different sets of recommendations or regulations, oftentimes implemented as decrees, on how its people should change their behaviour in order to decrease the risk of both contracting SARS-CoV-2 and passing it to others, especially those at particular risk for a severe course of COVID-19. In Germany [6], aside from the recommendations on hygienic measures ( washing hands often), these decrees comprise the avoidance of close contacts (especially staying 6 feet or two meters apart from other people) (i.e., ‘social distancing’), including gathering of more than two persons, and in some federal states of Germany even encompass ‘contact bans’ (i.e., prohibiting the gathering of more than two persons, except those living together)
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