A Study on the Roles of Online Social Tools for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Pandemic

The case of WeChat

Authors

  • Xiao Cui School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
  • Tong Su Dongcheng District Administration of Government Affairs of Beijing Municipality, Beijing, china
  • Meng Yao Wang College of Social Affairs, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56226/41

Keywords:

COVID-19, online social tools, grassroots governance, intervention and control, weChat, Pandemic, Social media and health

Abstract

Background:

In recent years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic period, online social tools have been widely used involving the fields including medical treatment, education, healthcare, governance, etc. What kind of functions do online social tools play for the prevention and control of the pandemic?

Objectives:

The main purposes of this article are to explore further the roles of online social tools, taking the most popular APP, that is Wechat, as an example, and to clarify the speciality of different social tools in different countries.

Methods:

By deep participatory observation and using the method of case study, the authors conducted in-depth interviews with 5 community workers, 2 volunteers, and 3 Party member liaisons in Yuejiyuan Community, China. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, content analysis.

Results:

The study identifies that online social tools play important roles in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, which can be summarized as information dissemination and guidance, psychological counseling, emotional resonance and support, convenience and benefit to the people. Meanwhile, this study reveals the powerful community governance by the local and the central government.

Main Contribution to Evidence-Based Practice:

The article puts together the recent evidence from recent fieldwork on the Roles of Online Social tool for Community Governance in the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Pandemic to support clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice. It is helpful to give effective suggestions for policy formulation and provide practical paths for anti-epidemic practice. 

References

Ahmad,A.R.,&Murad,H.R..(2020,May 19).The impact of social media on panic during the covid-19 pandemic in iraqi kurdistan:online questionnaire study.Journal of Medical Internet Research,22(5).https://doi.org/10.2196/19556

Bao,H.L.,Zhang,L.,&Shi,M.(2009).The instrumental properties of network in social communication.Knowledge of Journalism(12),3.https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-3629.2009.12.022

Castillo,J.A.G.D.,Castillo-López,A.G.D.,Dias,P.C,et al（2020,July 15）.Social networks as tools for the prevention and promotion of health among youth.Psicologia:Reflexao e Critica,33(1).https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-020-00150-z

Dong,J.M.,&Chen,D.Y.(2013).Use mainstream social networking tools to strengthen the ideological exchange and guidance of college students.Education and Teaching Forum,(35),246-247.https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-9324.2013.35.185

Jacennik, B. (2022). On Digital Health Research Priorities: From Telemedicine to Telehealth. International Healthcare Review (online), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.56226/ihr.v1i1.13

Li,L.Y.,&Li,S.Y.(2021).Research on Management Strategies of Online Teaching of Chinese as a Second Language under the background of post-pandemic situation,Economist.(12).https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-4914.2021.12.115

Li,X.X.,&Liu,H.(2021).Study on wechat service Countermeasures of university libraries under normal pandemic prevention and control:A case study of 14"double first-class"universities in Shanghai,Journal of Shandong Library.(6).https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1002-5197.2021.06.013

Monachino, M. . (2022). On Healthcare Research for Disease Prevention: Critical Knowledge Gaps in European Public Health. International Healthcare Review (online), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.56226/ihr.v1i1.6

Qiao,M.(2012,January 16).The Influence of modern network social tools on college students'interpersonal relationship and countermeasures.Chengdu University of Technology.Retrieved September 29,2022,from

https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CMFD&dbname=CMFD201301&filename=1012500303.nh&uniplatform=NZKPT&v=htwrwoeLz6m2BT0kIOMIrLQiAhyYz1WQK9TR0GAZxNNcWvdBmq3H5K99LQSsW9b7

Shah,S.,Nogueras,D.,Woerden,H.,&Kiparoglou,V..(2020,November 5).The covid-19 pandemic:a pandemic of lockdown loneliness and the role of digital technology.Journal of Medical Internet Research,22(11),22287.https://doi.org/10.2196/22287

Torrentea,E.,Martí,T.,&Escarrabill,J.(2012,May 23).A breath of Twitter,.Elsevier Espana,18(3),137-141Retrieved September 29,2022,from

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/alldb/full-record/WOS:000303449100006

Tang,K.Y.,&Wang,D.X.(2019).Emotional governance in network society.Gansu Social Sciences(3),94－100.https://doi.org/10.15891/j.cnki.cn62-1093/c.2019.03.013

Zhang, L., Moreira, J. P., & Xi, Y. (2022). What is Long COVID-19? Clarifying Definitions and Symptoms. International Healthcare Review (online). https://doi.org/10.56226/ihr.v1i2.28

digital pandemic

Downloads

Published

05-12-2022

How to Cite

Cui, X., Su, T., & Wang, M. Y. (2022). A Study on the Roles of Online Social Tools for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Pandemic: The case of WeChat. International Healthcare Review (online). https://doi.org/10.56226/41

Issue

Online First

Section

Recent Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 The Publisher

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.