Authorities expect Philadelphia to do the right thing about the latest round of coronavirus restriction | News

November 21-Save lives at home on this Thanksgiving: Increasing cases of coronavirus and national hospitalizations are the latest warning from public health officials, banquets and family members to Americans A deadly virus that encourages people not to gather.

Philadelphia has banned all public and private meetings throughout the New Year. Rachel Levin, Director of Health, Pennsylvania, recommends it to non-family members and residents celebrating their holidays. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has also announced stricter restrictions on indoor and outdoor crowds. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized that the safest way to spend a holiday is to be with the people you live with.

The recommendations are scientifically backed. Limiting contact with others is the best way to control the spread of the virus. (It is not always certain to test before going to the rally.)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced that people from another state will enforce a travel order requiring a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before entering the federal or quarantine two weeks ago. (Under the Disease Prevention and Control Act, the Commonwealth may fine people who do not comply between $ 25 and $ 300, said Health Department spokesman Nate Wardle.)

But primarily, authorities state that it is the individual’s responsibility to confirm the limits. And nine months after the pandemic, the willingness of society to follow the rules declines, and people are at greater risk in the face of increased cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said last week, “Our success depends on what Philadelphia residents do on their own, as dissemination occurs primarily in a private environment.” Stated.

“First, most Philadelphians know that these restrictions are beneficial and life-saving, and incorporate them into their lives without the need to enforce these recommendations and restrictions,” Philadelphia said. James Gallow, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Department of Health, said. “Secondly, for those who may not be able to easily integrate those recommendations into their lives, hearing that they need recommendations may be meant to get them up and down. hoping.”

Hyunmin Lee, a communications expert at Drexel University, said repetitive and consistent messages from the authorities in the media were important to shape public opinion during a widespread health crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, he described how the public decides to follow the rules. In media psychology in the context of health.

“By providing information on an ongoing basis, the public can continue to think about the issue,” Lee said. “And whether they like it or not, that’s it. [more] It stands out so much … it’s accessible as an idea in the minds of the general public. “

And for those who don’t like being told what to do, Lee tells people not to get together, but recommendations that allow them to decide for themselves are, in fact, in some cases. Said that it could prove to be more effective.

“It’s counter-intuitive to what public health authorities might think, and it must be absolutely restrictive or legally binding to be effective … because they prefer a sense of responsibility. , These types of recommendations may be more effective, “Lee said. “They like to let themselves know and make their own decisions.”

And, for example, for those on the fence about attending family holiday gatherings, Lee said, the official health message can empower decisions about staying at home.

A similar message previously worked in Philadelphia, Gallow said. When the city enforced a curfew in the spring, he said the Department of Health saw “unprecedented declines in mobility” through data from mobile phone providers.

“We told people to stay home, no one was arrested on the go, and they were at home,” Gallow said. “When we actually started promoting mask recommendations in late spring and early summer, the use of masks surged, approaching 90% in some areas. The city of Philadelphia takes this increase seriously. I expect people to see that and react accordingly.

But in the end, Pennsylvania needs to “do the right thing,” Wardle said.

“We know that mitigation efforts work, but we need the general public to comply with mitigation measures,” he said. “We can obey orders on the spot, we can wear masks, we can avoid travel and gatherings, we can wash our hands, we can keep a social distance, we get sick. Can also stay at home. “

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