Evolving Face Mask Guidance During a Pandemic and Potential Harm to Public Perception: Infodemiology Study of Sentiment and Emotion on Twitter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policies on face mask use fluctuated. Understanding how public health communications evolve around key policy decisions may inform future decisions on preventative measures by aiding the design of communication strategies (eg, wording, timing, and channel) that ensure rapid dissemination and maximize both widespread adoption and sustained adherence.

Objective

We aimed to assess how sentiment on masks evolved surrounding 2 changes to mask guidelines: (1) the recommendation for mask use on April 3, 2020, and (2) the relaxation of mask use on May 13, 2021.

Methods

We applied an interrupted time series method to US Twitter data surrounding each guideline change. Outcomes were change

SUBMITTER: Ramjee D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9973548 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature