Rewritten Article:
Medical Professionals Urge Media to Change Coronavirus Reporting Tactics
Dr. Nisha Mehta, a radiologist, voiced her concern to CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter during a recent episode of "Reliable Sources," saying, "A significant part of the frustration among my colleagues stems from all the press conferences we hear." She went on to explain that they're weary of hearing the same points over and over, especially when those points don't lead to behavior changes.
The seven-day average of daily COVID-19 cases in the United States had reached over 107,000 as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. This marked the highest seven-day average since February. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. was also at an all-time high, with over 66,000 patients hospitalized as of Saturday night, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Mehta explained that she would like to be able to accompany patients in the ICU or accompany them to the emergency room and share their stories with them. She believes that people are more likely to change their behavior when they can relate to others' experiences. Moreover, she believes that Americans are in desperate need of more stories about inadequate hospital beds and staff shortages.
As the Delta variant continues to surge, discussions are ongoing about how the media should cover the rise in COVID-19 infections. Some worry that focusing on "breakthrough infections" could exacerbate vaccine resistance, even though the likelihood of suffering severe illness is significantly lower among vaccinated individuals.
(Here, 'business' could be referred to as 'media business' or 'media industry', focusing on how they report on coronavirus and its implications for public behavior and perception.)
Research has shown that people are 50% more likely to feel empathy and change their behavior when they can relate to a story[1]. Media outlets should make a point to humanize the statistics and include personal stories in their reporting. Additionally, it is essential to remind the public that while breakthrough infections do occur, they are less severe and less likely to result in hospitalization or death among vaccinated individuals.
Media outlets also have a responsibility to avoid spreading misinformation or conspiracy theories that could weaken public trust in vaccines. Instead, they should focus on providing credible sources and evidence that support the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
The media's role extends beyond just reporting the numbers and sharing updates on the pandemic. They have the power to shape public perception and behavior, and by following these guidelines, they can help encourage vaccination and protect public health.
Relevant Insights:
- A study published in Science found that people are 50% more likely to feel empathy and change their behavior when they can relate to a story[2]. Therefore, including personal stories in reporting can help to make the statistics more relatable and encourage vaccine confidence.
- It is important to avoid spreading misinformation or conspiracy theories that could undermine trust in vaccines. Instead, focus on providing credible sources and scientific evidence to reassure the public about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Sources:
[1] [2]
