This research focuses on the process of communication between the state government and the citizens during a crisis situation and the formulation of an effective response strategy when faced with a significant threat to health or safety. My specific research interests are 1) the nature of decision – making processes that influence the perception of the audience towards the government, and 2) how the government body makes sense of an ambiguous and unpredictable situation, in order to build credibility with the audience and influence their behavior.
This is a qualitative research focusing on Kerala government‘s response to the SARS Covid-19 pandemic crisis in India from the months of January till May. A global public health crisis has the potential to critically harm the nation‘s economy and thus, requires strategic planning to deal with the crisis. However, even though faced with H1N1 influenza pandemic and Nipah Virus epidemic in the past decade, the country still struggles with developing effective response strategy and contingency plans when faced with an unexpected, highly unpredictable public health crisis. My research understands the process between the development of a crisis response strategy and its implementation. Additionally, it also addresses the positive/negative perception created in the minds of the public through media.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Research Design
Chapter 4: Case Study
Chapter 5: Findings and Analysis
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Chapter 7: Further Scope of Research
Goal and Research Focus
This research investigates the effectiveness of communication strategies employed by the Kerala state government during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how government communication influences public perception and how authorities build credibility and trust during highly unpredictable public health crises.
- Crisis communication processes between government and citizens.
- Government response strategies to public health emergencies.
- Public perception of administrative crisis management.
- The role of media in disseminating information and shaping opinion.
- Comparison of crisis communication models and their practical application.
Excerpt from the Book
PHASE 2: A NEW WAVE OF INFECTIONS
On March 8, the government declared the State at high risk from the virus. When the second wave of infections started to rise, the government took several multi-pronged measures as a response to the threat.
1. Healthcare Measures –
Revised guidelines were issued for the Testing, Quarantine and Hospital admission and discharge for the clinical management team. The patients were categorized in A, B and C accordingly. The State set up 40 isolation wards in 21 major hospitals for the Wuhan returned passengers. A helpline was also activated in every district for the same. As of March 9, 4,378 people were under home/hospital quarantine in the State. There were signs of Anxiety, stigma and frustration in the passengers. To provide psychological support the government deployed 215 healthcare professionals and 3,646 tele counselling services for the people under self-quarantine and their families. The medical staff also provided counselling to the infected patients and motivational SMS were sent to them occasionally from the government.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: Provides an overview of the global impact of influenza pandemics and the economic consequences of public health crises, setting the context for the study in India.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: Discusses theoretical frameworks of risk and crisis communication, including models by Covello et al. and the evolution of crisis management strategies.
Chapter 3: Research Design: Outlines the research problem, objectives, and the qualitative and quantitative methodology used, including content analysis and expert interviews.
Chapter 4: Case Study: Details the specific crisis management measures taken by the Kerala government between January and May 2020, categorized into different phases of the pandemic.
Chapter 5: Findings and Analysis: Presents insights gathered from expert interviews and a survey conducted among 215 residents of Kerala regarding government communication effectiveness.
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Summarizes the success of the "Kerala Model" based on timely, clear, and action-oriented communication strategies.
Chapter 7: Further Scope of Research: Suggests areas for future studies, including evaluating the economic impact of pandemic measures and comparative analyses of different states.
Keywords
COVID-19, Kerala, Crisis Communication, Risk Communication, Public Health, Pandemic, Government Strategy, Crisis Management, Media, Public Perception, Healthcare Infrastructure, Lockdown, Awareness, Surveillance, Kerala Model
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the communication strategies used by the Kerala state government during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage public health risks and maintain citizen trust.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include crisis communication, the role of public awareness in disaster management, the effectiveness of administrative response, and the impact of traditional versus new media.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The objective is to identify the communication processes used during the pandemic, analyze public perception of these efforts, and provide recommendations for future global public health crises.
Which research methodology does the author use?
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative content analysis of government communications and expert interviews with quantitative data from an online survey.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a detailed case study of Kerala's multi-phased response, an analysis of theoretical communication models, and the presentation/analysis of data collected from surveys and interviews.
Which keywords define this dissertation?
Key terms include COVID-19, Crisis Communication, Kerala Model, Risk Perception, Public Health, and Crisis Management.
How did Kerala’s prior experience influence its strategy?
The study notes that Kerala's experience in handling the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak allowed the state to act faster and more effectively by utilizing established administrative frameworks.
What role does the "Corona Safe Network" play?
It acts as an open-source public utility providing authenticated information and debunking fake news through a coordinated "War Strategy," helping to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
Why does the author emphasize traditional media?
The survey data suggests that residents in Kerala perceive traditional regional media as more credible and authentic than social media, leading to a higher reliance on newspapers and television.
- Quote paper
- Arzoo Singh (Author), 2020, Communication in Times of Crisis. The Case of Kerala's Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1152949
