New Viruses, Old Skepticism: Are Warnings Enough?

When the latest virus alert pops up in the newsfeed, do you scroll past, roll your eyes, or panic? You’re not alone — how we react reveals more about the times we live in than the virus itself. Public perception of early warning systems has become deeply polarized. For some, these alerts are lifesaving tools that offer crucial time to act and mitigate risks. For others, they are seen as exaggerated scare tactics, designed to manipulate public behavior and distract from larger systemic issues.

This divide isn’t new, but it’s amplified in the wake of recent crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, early warning systems were lauded for identifying the virus quickly but were also criticized for the chaos that followed. The lessons we learned then — or failed to learn — continue to shape how people perceive health warnings today. Are we more prepared, or are we just more skeptical? That’s the question we need to tackle.

Why does this matter?

So, why does all this matter? Because trust in health security warnings can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe. As new outbreaks like Mpox, Marburg, and H5N1 emerge, it’s clear that timely, credible warnings aren’t just alerts — they’re lifesaving calls to action. But how do we navigate the growing mistrust, the rapid spread of misinformation, and the challenges of acting in uncertainty? How do we ensure these warnings translate into effective infection prevention? These are crucial questions we must address as we work together to turn fear into informed action and build a safer, healthier future.

New Podcast — Rethinking EM Part 2: Misinformation and the Erosion of Trust

Misinformation and trust are two of the biggest challenges in today’s emergency management landscape. This week on Crisis Lab, join host Kyle King for Part 2 of our series on rethinking emergency management, featuring Todd DeVoe, a seasoned emergency management professional.

In this episode, Todd dives into the critical role of emergency managers in combating misinformation, fostering trust, and engaging communities in meaningful ways. From addressing disinformation campaigns to modernizing outreach strategies, they explore what it takes to build a prepared and informed society.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or on our website

Catch his insights on your favorite platform: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, to YouTube.

What We’re Reading…

• Misinformation does not reduce trust in accurate search results, but warning banners may backfire. Study finds that while misinformation doesn’t reduce trust in accurate search results, warning banners meant to flag false content may backfire by making users more skeptical of legitimate information
• Trust as a catalyst: revealing the impact of government trust and professional trust on public health policy compliance during a pandemic. Research shows trust in both government and healthcare professionals is crucial for pandemic policy compliance. Higher trust levels increase adherence to health measures, while lack of trust in either institution can undermine effectiveness
• China to improve multi-trigger monitoring and warning mechanism for infectious diseases. New research shows how AI helps detect outbreaks by analyzing real-time data from multiple sources. Early warning systems are getting smarter, faster, and more accurate in protecting public health.

Looking For a Career Change? Check Out These New Openings…

• Job title: General Call consultants: Research, Evaluation, and Subject Matter Experts Location: Bangladesh Closing Date: Dec 31, 2024
• Job title: Health Technology Advisor Location: Laos Closing Date: Jan 1, 2025
• Job title: Senior Advisor, Health Systems — (3086) Closing Date: Jan 1, 2025
• Job title: Deputy Chief of Party Location: Iraq Closing Date: Jan 9, 2025
• Job title: WASH Project Manager Location: Sudan Closing Date: Jan 11, 2025

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