The world closes its borders to Africa after the detection of VOC Omicron.
Our research shows it will be easy to garner public support. In fact, the African origin may increase support, as support is partially tied to prejudice.
Communicators need to tread carefully.
🧵(1/7)
Our research shows it will be easy to garner public support. In fact, the African origin may increase support, as support is partially tied to prejudice.
Communicators need to tread carefully.
🧵(1/7)
In 2020, we conducted a massive study (N>67,000) on support for increased border control across 8 Western countries (doi.org/10.1080/174572…). In most countries, it was high. (2/7) 
This support was driven by a coalition of those always against immigration & those personally fearful of covid. Thus, the biggest predictors are being right-wing and being personally (not socially) concerned about covid. (3/7)
We know that anti-immigrant views are stronger towards people from outside Western countries (doi.org/10.1111/j.1540…). We also know that black populations are frequent targets of prejudice (doi.org/10.2307/2082611). This may increase support for closing borders. (4/7)
Furthermore, decades of research on disgust reactions show that Westerners' disease concerns are higher towards individuals from outside Western countries (doi.org/10.1017/S00030…). So, also fear of covid will likely be a stronger drive in this specific situation. (5/7)
All in all: If border closure is needed for public health, it will be easy to garner public support. Yet, the observations raised here suggest that Western publics in this case may have an impulse of closing borders that is stronger than the problem dictates. (6/7)
Finally, if border closings are required (and they may very well be so), it is important for health communicators to not inadvertently activate those sources of prejudice that are all-to-easily triggered here. (7/7)
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