Fighting Covid-19: Q & A – Part 39

(Continued from July 7, 2020)

Third, experts help reduce social panic and ease public anxiety. Facing the complexity and high uncertainty of the pandemic, the public tend to have panicky emotions and anxious behaviors. For example, some suspected patients evaded hospital admission. The public were snapping up masks, disinfectant and other protective materials, and even drugs that do not have a clear effect. Rumors further aggravated the public’s panic and anxiety. By introducing the knowledge of viruses and epidemics, sharing scientific methods of maintaining mental health, and clarifying and dispelling rumors, experts effectively helped alleviate public anxiety and panic.