"Nearly every journalist who contacts me about the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic wants to talk about panic. I usually ask the reporter, “Do you know anyone personally who’s panicking?” The answer is always no." Sandman/@EIDGeek psandman.com/articles/Coron…
"Panic is doing something harmful to yourself or others that you would never do if you were thinking straight, but you can’t help yourself because of out-of-control emotions. Customers in a queue loading up on supplies, are not panicking."
"If officials keep dumbing down “panic” so it means anxiously taking precautions against something scary, fine. But they shouldn’t withhold upsetting truths out of fear people will panic.
In crisis, true panic is rare. Sober people often feel panicky in a crisis, rarely panic."
In crisis, true panic is rare. Sober people often feel panicky in a crisis, rarely panic."
Crisis communication isn’t about reducing people’s fear. It’s about helping them bear their justified fear and helping them choose appropriate precautions.
If you believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat, then fear isn’t a problem. Fear is part of the solution.
If you believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat, then fear isn’t a problem. Fear is part of the solution.
⚠️"Denial is a problem. People who can’t bear their fear and instead lash out at other people’s fear, calling it panic; people who can’t bear to imagine what life may be like for the next year or two and insist on business as usual – yes, they’re a problem."
Apathy is a problem. There are still plenty of people who aren’t paying attention, or who genuinely believe that the pandemic is overblown. Reaching apathetic people is always a core risk communication challenge, whether the issue is smoking or seat belts or diet … or #COVIDー19
