ASM Ambassadors Share Crisis Communication Insights
Approaches to crisis communication can vary greatly. Location, availability of infrastructure, cultural aspects, political considerations and technology preferences all impact the content and mode of communication. To get a sense of how institutions around the world have responded to infectious disease outbreaks, we asked several of our global ASM Ambassadors to share insight from their local communities. Check out their responses below.
ASM Ambassadors represent the society in their communities and facilitate partnerships between key stakeholders and local ASM members.
Pakistan
Q: How have infectious disease outbreaks been covered by your local/national media?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic there was less coverage of infectious diseases or health related issues in electronic or print media. But during COVID, we've had much better coverage on issues related to health. Many of the news channels now have [designated] health reporters, and they have slots for health-related issues on their daily program and news alerts. Print media also have separate sections for disease outbreaks and other health issues.—Saeed Khan, Country Ambassador
Somalia
Q: How have infectious disease outbreaks been covered by your local media?
During the COVID-19 outbreak, the local media has extensively covered news on the disease, its impact in society, the prevention and control measures, where to get information and [what] hospitals [offer] case management.—Mohamed Jama Gelle, Country Ambassador
Q: How has the scientific community communicated about infectious disease outbreaks?
The scientific medical community was extensively involved in training their peers on the new updates of the disease, the importance of adopting control measures, the importance of the vaccination and the new, tremendous protocols.—Mohamed Jama Gelle, Country Ambassador
South Carolina
Q: How have you personally contributed to communication efforts about infectious disease outbreaks?
I started my communication efforts on Facebook by creating a post providing an updated and correct version of a half-true post that had recently gone viral. I also became a source of information for local news media, my institution and other nearby institutions in my state.—Jennifer Grier, Young Ambassador
Trinidad & Tobago
Q: How have infectious disease outbreaks been covered by social media in your country?
Social media had a 2-fold effect. It provided information to an uneasy public and further perpetuated certain neurosis. It also served to provide credible information.—Rajeev P. Nagassar, Country Ambassador
Turkey
Q: How have you personally contributed to communication efforts about infectious disease outbreaks?
The Turkish Society of Microbiology shared information about recent vaccine studies, including mRNA and traditional styles. I shared all trust[ed] and objective information with my students in online classes and friends from my communities.—Cichan Bostanci, Young Ambassador
Author: Geoff Hunt, Ph.D.
In This Issue:
- Letter From the Editor
- Hunting for the Next Pandemic Virus
- Vaccines Before Outbreaks? Jumpstarting Infection Prevention
- Outbreak Detection with Wun-Ju Shieh
- The Rise and Fall of Infectious Diseases
- How Pathogens Survive and Thrive in a Changing Climate
- Do's and Don'ts of Crisis Communication for Public Health
- What's Hot in the Microbial Sciences