When viruses and misinformation spread: How young Singaporeans navigated uncertainty in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

Guided by the frameworks of uncertainty management and sensemaking during crises, this study examined how young adults in Singapore managed uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak. Through a series of eight focus group discussions involving 89 young adults, we found that participants experienced uncertainty about the outbreak, especially when it comes to how they should protect themselves. They managed this uncertainty in two ways: while some engaged in information seeking, others engaged in information scanning. Those who did not actively seek information did not avoid it either, with some of them finding it impossible to avoid information about COVID-19, as it comes up in their routine social media use and offline conversations. Understanding COVID-19 as an illness that does not threaten young people, our participants noted only minimal disruptions to them. Instead, they were more concerned about their parents and older family members, whom they considered as more vulnerable.

Information avoidance during health crises: Predictors of avoiding information about the COVID-19 pandemic among german news consumers

“…During health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic characterized by a rapid global propagation, high mortality ( Bento et al., 2020 ; Song et al., 2021 ), scientific uncertainty ( Karlsen & Kruke, 2018 ; Rosenthal et al., 1989 ; Tandoc & Lee, 2020 ) and strict restrictions in everyday life ( Bento et al., 2020 ; Soroya et al., 2021 ), Siebenhaar et al. (2020) describe information as a mixed blessing.…”

“…(2020) describe information as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, information helps individuals develop adequate risk perceptions, empowers them with informed decision-making about preventive behaviors ( Garfin et al., 2020 ; Liu, 2020 ; Zarocostas, 2020 ), and aids them in coping with uncertainties ( Tandoc & Lee, 2020 ). On the other hand, information triggers negative emotions and impairs psychological well-being ( Soroya et al., 2021 ).…”

Lockdown Fits and Misfits: Disabled Young People’s Lives Under COVID-19 Lockdown

“…A comic strip submitted to the competition by Nelli Railanmaa (Figure 1) depicts a specific moment in this process-raised also in some of the other texts-where one is constantly following the news in order to make sense of the situation (see Tandoc & Lee, 2020). The last frame describes the exhaustion that follows from one's inability to consume the information: 'I'm just taking some distance to the everyday thoughts' as the main character in the strip responses from their balcony floor.…”

Validation of the COVID-19 Disbelief Scale: Conditional indirect effects of religiosity and COVID-19 fear on intent to vaccinate

“…Disbelief persists as a problem with new disease mitigation with the expansion of speculatory misinformation spread online (e.g. H1N1, Ebola, COVID-19) ( Aiyewumi & Okeke, 2020 ; de Bruin et al, 2020 ; Sell, Hosangadi, & Trotochaud, 2020 ; Tandoc & Lee, 2020 ). The microscopic and obscure nature of diseases requires rudimentary epidemiology to understand, but unfiltered statements can muddle public understanding.…”

“…In the digital age, the surfeit of misinformation competes with scientific health developments which warranted the creation of a COVID-19 disbelief measure ( Bode & Vraga, 2018 ; Tandoc & Lee, 2020 ). Conflicting early official medical pandemic statements stated facial coverings would not prevent transmission ( Tandoc & Lee, 2020 ). Soon after, it became evident that respiratory air droplets transmit COVID-19 ( Sell et al, 2020 ).…”