So what can we do to build trust and prepare people for the months to come? A paper from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy titled “Effective Covid-19 Crisis Communication” has six suggestions. Taken together, they’re a helpful guide for anyone trying to navigate the coming uncertainty — from public health officials to politicians to the press. Even parents might find the guide useful in talking to children about the virus. A quick summary: 1. Don’t overreassure. Candid conversations build trust. 2. Proclaim uncertainty. False confidence sets people up to feel betrayed if the authority turns out to be wrong. “We have long noticed that our clients trust our advice more if we emphasize that we’re not sure,” the paper reads.
How We Can Get the Next Phase of the Coronavirus Right
Six ways to survive our pandemic summer.
By Charlie Warzel
Mr. Warzel is an Opinion writer at large.
May 14, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/opinion/coronavirus-communication.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_200515&instance_id=18493&nl=todaysheadlines®i_id=43453557&segment_id=27889&user_id=06f6767785a14352b47f4490384ee56a