Even Low News Users Say They Are Willing to Take Preventive Measures against COVID-19

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 2020

7 Pages Posted: 25 Jun 2020 Last revised: 5 Oct 2020

See all articles by Antonis Kalogeropoulos

Antonis Kalogeropoulos

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; University of Liverpool - Department of Communication and Media

Richard Fletcher

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Date Written: June 18, 2020

Abstract

In this RISJ Factsheet we examine associations between people’s news use and trust in government information, and their self-reported willingness to take a number of preventive measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic in the UK based on a survey fielded from 4 to 10 June 2020.

We find that:

A large share of the UK population, across demographic differences, political differences, and differences in news use and trust in government, say they would be willing to take preventive measures, including self-isolate following test and trace (86%), take an antibody test (82%), a coronavirus test (80%), and a coronavirus vaccine if/when offered (78%). People also say they would wear masks in public spaces if advised by the government (76%), but less than half (46%) say they would be willing to download and use a coronavirus contact tracing app.

Even among people who say they are not relying on news organisations for news and information about coronavirus, a majority say they would take five of the six preventative measures we have data on. We find still higher willingness to adopt preventive measures among those who are more frequent news users.

Similarly, even among people who say they do not trust the UK government as a source of information about COVID-19, large majorities say they would take five of the six preventative measures we have data on. We find still higher willingness to adopt preventive measures among those who say they trust the government.

News use and trust in government are not the only factors that will influence people’s willingness to take preventative measures, socio-demographic factors will matter too. Looking at age (which is associated with risk), we find that a majority of people of all ages say they are willing to take most preventative measures. Older people report still higher willingness to adopt preventive measures.

Finally, 24% of our respondents think that the coronavirus situation in the UK is heading in the right direction (down from 39% in mid-April), 29% of respondents thought that the coronavirus situation in the UK was on the wrong track (up from 10% in April). Many people (41%) still see a mixed picture.

Keywords: news, testing, face masks, UK, coronavirus, COVID-19

Suggested Citation

Kalogeropoulos, Antonis and Kalogeropoulos, Antonis and Fletcher, Richard and Nielsen, Rasmus Kleis, Even Low News Users Say They Are Willing to Take Preventive Measures against COVID-19 (June 18, 2020). Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3633009

Antonis Kalogeropoulos (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism ( email )

13 Norham Gardens
Oxford, OX2 6PS
United Kingdom

University of Liverpool - Department of Communication and Media ( email )

19-23 Abercromby Square
Liverpool, L69 7ZG

Richard Fletcher

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism ( email )

13 Norham Gardens
Oxford, OX2 6PS
United Kingdom

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen

University of Oxford - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism ( email )

13 Norham Gardens
Oxford, OX2 6PS
United Kingdom

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