Prompted by a discussion with @PaulbernalUK, some thoughts about the UK Government's #CoronaVirus #COVIDー19 communications:
I now do not know the UK Government's *objective*
I now do not know the UK Government's *objective*
The reason the "herd immunity" idea was so sticky in communication terms was that it was at least an objective. You could argue if it ever were the true objective, whether it still is, whether it were the right objective... but it was somehow concrete
It was even in project management terms a SMART objective
- Specific (70+% get it)
- Measurable (test if people have it, or extrapolate from deaths)
- Achievable (virus spreads fast, so yes)
- Realistic (if you assume no re-occurrence, yes)
- Time (2 years)
- Specific (70+% get it)
- Measurable (test if people have it, or extrapolate from deaths)
- Achievable (virus spreads fast, so yes)
- Realistic (if you assume no re-occurrence, yes)
- Time (2 years)
The problem now is I do not actually know what the UK Government is trying to do, for all it seems to communicate are measures
"protect the over 70s" is not an objective in itself, because there are multiple ways to do that, and no clarity on those
"protect the over 70s" is not an objective in itself, because there are multiple ways to do that, and no clarity on those
Look at the UK Government's advice page:
gov.uk/government/top…
There is no answer to *why* these measures make sense, and towards what objective the government is working
gov.uk/government/top…
There is no answer to *why* these measures make sense, and towards what objective the government is working
Also I do wonder if the UK Government is even capable of communicating clearly and consistently, because for the 6 months or so Johnson was in power pre-Corona the intention was the very opposite - briefing and counter briefing, obfuscation, *intended* confusion
When you're communicating about something more abstract in the future - Brexit with the main changes months into the future (Jan 2021 earliest for most people) - you might be able to get away with that
But for a problem that needs action now - do I self-isolate or not? Do I cancel that event or not? Should I meet that elderly relative or not? - there is a high price for mixed messages
In conclusion: until the UK Government can articulate a clear objective in how it is approaching its #Coronavirus #COVIDー19 response, its communication and approach will remain a mess
If you think I'm wrong and the objective is clear, please tell me - with evidence
/ends
If you think I'm wrong and the objective is clear, please tell me - with evidence
/ends
