Ss07-02 a Global Perspective: Digital Insights Into Crisis Communication During the Covid-19 Pandemic - Lessons Learned for Workers, Workplaces and Our Community of Practice

Abstract Introduction The continued emergence of pathogens may be the norm with major impacts on the health and safety creating crippling economic burdens on workers, workplaces, and public health organizations. Effective public health surveillance, action and speed requires immediate communication initiatives, moving digital applications and strategies to the forefront of emergency response tools with associated new technological challenges. Materials and Methods This analysis examines crisis communication response to COVID-19 in organizations as a reflection of the success of individual country response. It provides a comparative analysis of selected country case studies (Asian, Nordics, Europe, North America) and their adoption of digital tools and applications. The approach uses CDC’s crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) as an analytical framework. CERC provides a framework for applicability during a pandemic crisis often fraught with mixed messages, imagined science, disinformation, and low public understanding and trust. Results This analysis concludes with offering seven cardinal rules and an underlying perspective - basically an initial ‘digital lessons learned’ for our community of practice in applying appropriate technology and applications during a pandemic. Conclusion The use of appropriate technological tools is critical during a biological emergency. Beyond surveillance and monitoring there is a strong need for information to evolve during a crisis. Different digital applications can help workers, workplaces, and communities to be safe, cope mentally and connect to a deeper sense of purpose and resilience. Disclaimer The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of NIOSH