Toward effective government communication strategies in the era of COVID-19

Abstract

Several countries have successfully reduced their COVID-19 infection rate early, while others have been overwhelmed. The reasons for the differences are complex, but response efficacy has in part depended on the speed and scale of governmental intervention and how communities have received, perceived, and acted on the information provided by governments and other agencies. While there is no ‘one size fits all’ communications strategy to deliver information during a prolonged crisis, in this article, we draw on key findings from scholarship in multiple social science disciplines to highlight some fundamental characteristics of effective governmental crisis communication. We then present ten recommendations for effective communication strategies to engender maximum support and participation. We argue that an effective communication strategy is a two-way process that involves clear messages, delivered via appropriate platforms, tailored for diverse audiences, and shared by trusted people. Ultimately, the long-term success depends on developing and maintaining public trust. We outline how government policymakers can engender widespread public support and participation through increased and ongoing community engagement. We argue that a diversity of community groups must be included in engagement activities. We also highlight the implications of emerging digital technologies in communication and engagement activities.

Building a Model for Financial Management of Digital Technologies in the Areas of Combinatorial Effects

“…The results of the study are particularly relevant in the current conditions of macroeconomic instability, when the existing financial distribution systems are negatively affected due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The optimal allocation of available financial resources among priority digital projects will contribute to a comprehensive increase in economic efficiency (Hyland-Wood et al 2021;Zimmerling and Chen 2021). Using the possibilities of building new approaches based on the developed tools will allow to rationalize the systematic use of digital innovations both in existing economic systems, and will provide the potential for creating completely new conceptual opportunities for newly created system entities (Khin and Ho 2020).…”

“…In the scientific community, the issues of the formation of the digital space in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic have become particularly acute. The current negative environment in the macroeconomic environment determines new trends in digital transformation, which was noted in previous articles (Hyland-Wood et al 2021;Zimmerling and Chen 2021). In 2020, major transformations of national economies took place, determining the accelerated dynamics of the transition to digital technologies, which is a serious opportunity to obtain new combinatorial effects.…”

The impact of COVID-19 related regulations and restrictions on mobility and potential for sustained climate mitigation across the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK: A data-based commentary.

“…Government action and recovery-package incentives could have a significant long-term effect on global greenhouse gas levels (Le , with the potential to avoid 0.3°C of global warming by 2050 (Forster et al, 2020). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed that frequent emphasis on the desired behaviour of citizens by governments increases the likelihood of behaviour change (Hyland-Wood et al, 2021). We can link our behavioural analysis using the COM-B model to potential interventions and policies identified in the integrative framework, the Behaviour Change Wheel (Michie et al, 2011).…”

Accepting Restrictions and Compliance With Recommended Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19: A Discussion Based on the Key Approaches and Current Research on Fear Appeals

“…Some countries have been shown to have quickly and successfully reduced infection rates, whilst some have been less responsive or effective ( Hyland-Wood et al, 2021 ). It has been observed that not all campaigns have resulted in notable increases in effective preventive health behaviors, with individuals responding differently to lockdown rules and social distancing measures.…”