Presentation Type
Invited
Track
Other
Abstract
Unlike previous pandemics, the COVID pandemic came at a time of political polarization and extensive use of social media. Early in the outbreak, it soon became clear that the general lack of understanding of simple epidemiologic principles led to confusion and mistrust. Using data posted to the South Dakota Department of Health dashboard, summaries of daily data were provided via email and blog to individuals from university emergency management staff to city council members, retirees, and the general public. Weekly videos were produced by the city and posted to social media accounts. The goal of these data updates and videos was to provide graphic summaries of the current situation in Brookings County and the state of South Dakota and educate the public on the general principles of epidemiology.
Start Date
2-8-2022 2:30 PM
End Date
2-8-2022 3:25 PM
Session 11: Data and Epidemiology: The Need to Educate the Public
Dakota Room 250 A/C
Unlike previous pandemics, the COVID pandemic came at a time of political polarization and extensive use of social media. Early in the outbreak, it soon became clear that the general lack of understanding of simple epidemiologic principles led to confusion and mistrust. Using data posted to the South Dakota Department of Health dashboard, summaries of daily data were provided via email and blog to individuals from university emergency management staff to city council members, retirees, and the general public. Weekly videos were produced by the city and posted to social media accounts. The goal of these data updates and videos was to provide graphic summaries of the current situation in Brookings County and the state of South Dakota and educate the public on the general principles of epidemiology.