London faces pressure to bolster virus communication

Subject

UK COVID-19 communication.

Significance

Communication is critically important during public health emergencies. The United Kingdom’s communications have contained mixed messages and a general lack of transparency. Several decisions with strong scientific grounding have not been adequately explained, resulting in many government achievements being undermined or overlooked. This is also a major contributory factor in the government’s eroding public support.

Impacts

• The content and delivery of future addresses will determine how closely the public adheres to changes in guidance.
• The speed at which sectors of the economy can re-open is heavily dependent on the success of the communications strategy.
• The ongoing infodemic being played out on social media will continue to hamper the communication of public health messages.