Communications Tools
The National Association of County & City Health Officials, in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, conducted a poll, led by Frank Luntz, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to empower politicians and public health professionals on their communication surrounding the pandemic.
Major Findings:
- Focus on the end goal (“back to normal”), not the process
- Focus on the benefits of success instead of the consequences of failure
- Communicate that actions are a “fact-based approach”; do not let politics be part of the conversation; moreover, allow researchers and medical/public health professionals to lead the discussion, as they were found to be more trusted than politicians
- An area of agreement is local control and solutions
- Recommended language:
- Pandemic (over COVID-19 or the coronavirus)
- Face mask (over facial covering)
- Stay-at-home-order (over lockdown or restrictions)
- Fact based policies (over science, data, or medicine specifically)
- Protocols (over mandate, directive, control, or orders)
The poll confirmed that there is a major divide between Republicans and Democrats over the perceptions and actions related to the pandemic. The findings of the poll should assist politicians and public health professionals to communicate and bridge this partisan gap when speaking about the pandemic.
Further Resources:
Declaration in Support of Isolation Order (Eagle County)
Declaration in Support of Quarantine Order (Eagle County)
Press Release – ‘Stay at Home’ Advisory (San Juan Basin Public Health Department)
BOCC Statement Press Release (Elbert County, March 25)
BOCC Statement (Hinsdale County)
Emergency Declaration Support Letter Silver Thread (Hinsdale & Mineral County)
Letter to Neighbors & Constituents (Saguache County)
