Policy response, social media and science journalism for the sustainability of the public health system amid the COVID-19 outbreak: The Vietnam lessons

Abstract

Having geographical proximity and a high volume of trade with China, the first country to record an outbreak of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Vietnam was expected to have a high risk of transmission. However, as of 4 April 2020, in comparison to attempts to containing the disease around the world, responses from Vietnam are seen as prompt and effective in protecting the interests of its citizens, with 239 confirmed cases and no fatalities. This study analyzes the situation in terms of Vietnam’s policy response, social media and science journalism. A self-made web crawl engine was used to scan and collect official media news related to COVID-19 between the beginning of January and April 4, yielding a comprehensive dataset of 14,952 news items. The findings shed light on how Vietnam—despite being under-resourced—has demonstrated political readiness to combat the emerging pandemic since the earliest days. Timely communication on any developments of the outbreak from the government and the media, combined with up-to-date research on the new virus by the Vietnamese science community, have altogether provided reliable sources of information. By emphasizing the need for immediate and genuine cooperation between government, civil society and private individuals, the case study offers valuable lessons for other nations concerning not only the concurrent fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also the overall responses to a public health crisis.

Mental Health During COVID-19: Tam Giao and Vietnam's Response

“…Communication by the Vietnamese government was early, beginning on 9 January 2020- prior to any confirmed cases- and continued to involve consistent use of technologies such as widespread texts and messaging on Facebook ( 9 ). Successful apps such as “NCOVI,” a joint “neighborhood watch” project by telecom companies and the Ministry of Health, saw 1,040,000 downloads, facilitating efforts to contact trace and quarantine with real-time data ( 9 , 15 ). Reacting to and managing a pandemic inevitably involves reliance on one's public health system.…”

“…The surveillance system, though extremely helpful in its ability to gain data relevant to contact tracing in real-time and prevent severe widespread infections, may not be a feasible system to adopt by other countries as it raises concerns about privacy and personal rights ( 9 ). Part of Vietnam's early hospital management policies included attention to infection prevention among healthcare workers, which proved problematic during the 2003–2004 SARS outbreak with many deaths ( 9 , 15 ). The result, after strengthened procedures and training, as of 30 June 2020, was just four healthcare workers having been infected ( 9 ).…”

Global Health Is Local Health: A Multidisciplinary Perspective of COVID-19

“…As in China, delays in information sharing and guidelines by the US government created a window of uncertainty, providing the opportunity for social media platforms to assert themselves as primary news sources for the American people, resulting in rumors and misinformation being spread within the United States via social media posts and the sharing of obscure news outlets. 12,13 Content-shaping algorithms that personalize the user experience, popular on websites such as Facebook, compounded the cycling of misinformation, enabling public confusion, anxiety, and mistrust of the government. One outcome was the panic buying of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, antimicrobial wipes, and other goods during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak.…”

“…One outcome was the panic buying of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, antimicrobial wipes, and other goods during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak. [12][13][14] Public confusion was amplified by inconsistent information shared by US government representatives. On March 16, President Trump announced a national 15-day policy of social distancing.…”

Analyzing the Effect of Temperature on the Outspread of COVID-19 around the Globe

“…It has affected more than 200 countries in a very short span of 3 months. This deadly disease is having an intense influence on the health care system and economies of affected countries (5). The overall mortality rate is projected to be 6.25 %, but rising to 60% in individuals aged 60 or above.…”