Dynamic Public Perceptions of the Coronavirus Disease Crisis, the Netherlands, 2020

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases 2021-04, Vol.27 (4), p.1098-1109
• Main Authors: de Vries, Marion, Claassen, Liesbeth, Te Wierik, Margreet J M, van den Hof, Susan, Brabers, Anne E M, de Jong, Judith D, Timmermans, Danielle R M, Timen, Aura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; Access to Information - psychology; Adult; Age Factors; Age groups; Attitude to Health; Chronic illnesses; Communicable Disease Control - methods; Communicable Disease Control - statistics & numerical data; coronavirus disease; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - psychology; Demographic aspects; Disease; Dynamic Public Perceptions of the Coronavirus Disease Crisis, the Netherlands, 2020; Employment; Epidemics; Female; Health Status; Humans; Influenza; Male; Netherlands; Netherlands - epidemiology; Outbreaks; Pandemics; Participation; Perceptions; Polls & surveys; Population; Psychological aspects; Public health; Public Health - methods; Public Health - standards; Public Opinion; Risk Assessment; Risk Reduction Behavior; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social aspects; Social Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trust; Variables; viruses
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2704.203328

A key component of outbreak control is monitoring public perceptions and public response. To determine public perceptions and public responses during the first 3 months of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the Netherlands, we conducted 6 repeated surveys of ≈3,000 persons. Generalized estimating equations analyses revealed changes over time as well as differences between groups at low and high risk. Overall, respondents perceived the risks associated with COVID-19 to be considerable, were positive about the mitigation measures, trusted the information and the measures from authorities, and adopted protective measures. Substantial increases were observed in risk perceptions and self-reported protective behavior in the first weeks of the outbreak. Individual differences were based mainly on participants' age and health condition. We recommend that authorities constantly adjust their COVID-19 communication and mitigation strategies to fit public perceptions and public responses and that they tailor the information for different groups.