Ten considerations for effectively managing the COVID-19 transition

Abstract

Governments around the world have implemented measures to manage the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While the majority of these measures are proving effective, they have a high social and economic cost, and response strategies are being adjusted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that communities should have a voice, be informed and engaged, and participate in this transition phase. We propose ten considerations to support this principle: (1) implement a phased approach to a 'new normal'; (2) balance individual rights with the social good; (3) prioritise people at highest risk of negative consequences; (4) provide special support for healthcare workers and care staff; (5) build, strengthen and maintain trust; (6) enlist existing social norms and foster healthy new norms; (7) increase resilience and self-efficacy; (8) use clear and positive language; (9) anticipate and manage misinformation; and (10) engage with media outlets. The transition phase should also be informed by real-time data according to which governmental responses should be updated.

The emotional path to action: Empathy promotes physical distancing and wearing of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As shown in Study 4, increasing levels of empathy were then related to the motivation to follow one recommended measure (i.e., wearing a mask). Overall, finding an effective way how to improve adherence to measures seems of particular importance for societies all over the globe (Habersaat et al, 2020;Van Barvel et al, 2020). In this regard, strong affective information might be one key to motivate people to follow recommended measures.…”

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

“…This includes the need for active surveillance with appropriate personnel and facilities as well as ensuring necessary healthcare workforce and structures including adequate supplies of PPE and other necessary equipment, and communication including all key stakeholder groups with reserved funds for such health emergencies. In addition, a phased approach to easing restrictions when pertinent (Habersaat et al, 2020). Such activities have worked well across countries (Jones, 2020;Wang C. J. et al, 2020) • Development and implementation of occupational health and safety protocols, policies and legislative frameworks taking cognisance of the risks and mechanisms of COVID-19 infection.…”

Moving Health Literacy Research and Practice towards a Vision of Equity, Precision and Transparency

“…From a public health perspective, health literacy is regarded as a personal asset that evolves over the life course and promotes empowerment in health decision-making [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In the context of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), an individual’s health literacy supports his/her decisions on washing hands, maintaining physical distance, adopting protective behaviours, seeing a doctor, and complying with quarantine policies, thus contributing to a more likely successful public health response strategy [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Health literacy also helps to navigate the infodemic—the overabundance of valid and invalid information that is circulating on the Internet—that is attached to the COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 , 12 ].…”