Preparing for COVID-19 surges
Communication and engagement resources
17 September 2020: Architect and WHO Consultant Anna Silenzi (centre, wearing red) and Engineer and WHO Hospital Readiness Consultant Anja Borojevic (sitting to Anna’s left) give a presentation during a meeting about “hospitals of the future.”
What you need to have in place
- Social listening and intelligence monitoring to gather concerns and misinformation
- A network of leaders and influencers who have helped to identify issues, develop messages and are prepared to share information. Consider:
- Health workers and information resources for them
- Youth influencers: WHO network resources
- WHO Faith-based organizations network
- Practical considerations and recommendations for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19: Practical guidance and recommendations to support the special role of religious leaders, faith-based organizations, and faith communities in COVID-19 education, preparedness, and response.
- Credible health communicators and scientists
- Community networks
- UN organizations and other related organizations and facilities working on COVID-19
Steps leaders can take to promote prevention and preparedness
- Holding statements and talking points on avoidance of mass gatherings
- Positive examples of leaders reaching out to citizens on protective measures
- Programmes to increase mask use: see how free masks delivered in Bangladesh increased mask use and physical distancing
- Reminders for the public on where to get updated information
- Information on how to protect the most vulnerable, when and how to seek care at hospitals, what can/should be done at home.
- Where available, support uptake of vaccines through strategies tailored to specific populations. This includes targeted communications, community engagement, and quality vaccination services that are convenient to access.
COVID-19 prevention information for the public
General information
WHO COVID-19 public advice page
Transmission and protection products
All about masks (animations, social media files, infographics)
Transmission
How is COVID-19 transmitted Q&As
Ventilation and air conditioning Q&As
Home care Q&As
Health and safety measures
How different COVID-19 tests work
Checkmate COVID-19: animation on preventive measures
Getting through isolation: take care of your mental health (animation)
Three factors to consider in your daily life to reduce your risk of COVID-19 (animation)
Three factors to consider in your daily life to reduce your risk of COVID-19 (infographic)
How to safely visit health care facilities (infographic)
COVID-19 symptoms (infographic)
Advice to help people reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19 in daily life
Home care for COVID-19: guide for family ad caregivers
What to do if someone gets sick in your household
How to prepare in case someone gets sick in your household
Visiting family in a long-term care facility
Stay safe during a medical appointment
Contract tracing
I just found out I have COVID-19. What do I do to protect my friends and family?
Resources to help community responders
- COVID-19 community guidance for social mobilizers, frontline workers and volunteers: Tips and discussion points for community workers, volunteers and community networks
- WHO tool for behavioural insights on COVID-19 A WHO tool for rapid, flexible and cost-effective monitoring of public knowledge, risk perceptions, behaviours and trust
- Community needs, perceptions and demand: community assessment tool: A community assessment
tool for countries to rapidly assess and respond to community health needs and perceptions around access and effective use of essential health services during a COVID-19 outbreak.
- Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan Guidance COVID-19 Preparedness and Response
- COVID-19: How to include marginalized and vulnerable people in risk communication and community engagement
- 10 steps to community readiness: What countries should do to prepare communities for a COVID-19 vaccine, treatment or new test
- Transmission family package for low-resource settings, includes a quiz, a game and guide to developing a family plan in case someone gets sick:
- Tips for engaging communities during COVID-19 in low-resource setting, remotely and in-person
- Community action guide