Communication in an outbreak

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak has created a bizarre, confused uneasiness in the Philippines. Health authorities can’t agree on the correct way to wear surgical masks. Many are furious (despite their better nature, perhaps) that Chinese travelers are yet to be banned from the country. And most everyone is frustrated, left in a nail-biting limbo of vague, uncomforting phrases like “persons under investigation.”

Much of the confusion and frustration around 2019-nCoV is due to a disconnect between authorities and the people. There is a gap in communication, extending both ways. On one hand, public agencies and experts often fall short in effectively conveying to the public what they need to know. On the other, the Filipino public’s science literacy and media literacy still leave much to be desired.

To be fair, the public communication platforms of the DOH have been relatively accessible to the common Filipino. On social media, the department has been posting updates and infographics in the vernacular. The DOH website has a page dedicated to updates on 2019-nCoV and how the agency is responding daily. These, on top of the multiple press briefings that are even carried live online. Health officials have also not been lacking in reminding the public of the symptoms of and preventive measures against the new virus.

Unfortunately, these communication channels still do not satisfy the public’s hunger for answers. A quick example is the debate on how to properly wear surgical masks. Does it depend on whether you’re infected or not? Blue side in or blue side out? Or is there really only one correct way of wearing the mask? The fact that people all over the country, including health care providers, have no consensus on this simple yet important question indicates a hole in the information that is mainstreamed by our health authorities.

There are bigger questions, too—questions around incoming travelers from China, hospital readiness across Philippine regions, national contingency measures, and more. A quick look at the DOH Facebook page tells us that this is the kind of information that people are seeking and are still not finding.

Meanwhile, there is also much to improve on in the way Filipinos receive information that is already available. High up on the list is the inexplicably stubborn habit of believing everything on the internet, including unconfirmed news, outdated stories, satire, and even poorly made memes. This lack of digital literacy only feeds the confusion and fear.

It’s incredibly challenging to fight misconceptions with scientific truths if citizens are already wading waist-deep in disinformation. It’s not uncommon to find people disbelieving scientists and health experts after reading a couple of blogs or viral social media posts contradicting science. (See also: antivaccination; flat earth theory.)

Some of the claims about the novel virus that have been discredited yet are still circulating online include the virus-deterring effect of warm climates and the availability of a 2019-nCoV cure. Faith in these claims could be dangerous as it downplays the importance of caution, vigilance, and preventive measures against an all-too-real health concern.

Apart from the persistence of disinformation and the ignorance that fosters it, Filipino audiences also seem to have an aversion toward legitimate science. During Wednesday’s DOH press briefing, which was broadcast online, many viewers complained about health officials using English-language scientific terms, even though those terms were clearly explained in simple words.

It was like a biology class where students tuned out at the mere mention of “infectivity” or “further testing.” But this wasn’t just a classroom lesson anymore—this was information that could help us manage the threat of a real-life disease. Experts can only do so much in dumbing down scientific knowledge for us. We need to pay attention and put in some effort in grasping the science, too.

Our confusion, anger, and fear regarding the outbreak can be allayed with better communication, both on the part of authorities and of us, the people. We call on our government offices and specialists to be transparent and to provide us answers. At the same time, we must also practice ways to minimize our own ignorance and improve our reception of facts and science.

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