Editorial: Say what? Public health leaders must improve their messaging on the pandemic
The coronavirus epidemic has exposed a disconnect between public health leaders and the public, writes Jennifer M. Ouellette. Many public health organizations have done an excellent job of responding to the outbreak by responding quickly and sharing emerging information widely, but the most effective messaging still remains elusive. In particular, the public does not yet know the seriousness of COVID-19, the impact on public health systems, or why public health systems are being overwhelmed.
The pandemic has exposed a disconnect between public health leaders and the public. This is particularly problematic in part because the public does not yet know the seriousness of the pandemic or the impact on public health systems.
This disconnect needs to be addressed at the state, local, and federal levels for it to have the desired effect of educating the public about the virus, the epidemic, and pandemic control.
The public does not yet know the seriousness of the pandemic. While it is clear that we do not understand or fully appreciate the role of COVID-19 transmission and the role of the community in controlling the pandemic, the public also does not yet know the impact of COVID-19 on public health systems, the seriousness of the pandemic, or why public health systems are being overwhelmed.
The public needs to understand why coronavirus is spreading among the general population, why healthcare resources are stretched, and why healthcare infrastructure and services are under stress. Public health leaders need to do better in communicating this information.
The public needs to understand why coronavirus is spreading among the general population, why healthcare resources are stretched, and why healthcare infrastructure and services are under stress.
Public health leaders need to do better in communicating this information.
Communicating this information is the key to better public health decision making and public health preparedness as the pandemic progresses into the winter season. In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a website on how to prepare for the flu pandemic and how to respond appropriately. In March, the coronavirus pandemic was declared a national public health emergency, and the public health community has been sharing news from the field on COVID-19 testing, public health prevention and response, and data on case counts.
At this point, the public, not
