Description
This study offers a preliminary exploration of whether state-level (N=6) and local-level (N=53) Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages might contribute to impeding the spread of Covid-19 in the United States. The study compares changes in reported rates of infections and deaths between states and localities that issued WEA messages in March and April of 2020 with states that did not. Small sample sizes and differences in the rates of Covid-19 spread prohibit robust statistical analysis and detection of clear effect sizes, but estimated effects are generally in the right direction.
DOI
10.30658/icrcc.2021.08
Recommended Citation
Bean, H., Grevstad, N., Koutsoukos, A., & Meyer, A. (2021). Exploring whether wireless emergency alerts can help impede the spread of Covid-19. Proceedings of the International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference, Volume 4 (pp. 33-36). Orlando Fl: Nicholson School of Communication and Media. https://doi.org/10.30658/icrcc.2021.08
Exploring Whether Wireless Emergency Alerts Can Help Impede the Spread of Covid-19
This study offers a preliminary exploration of whether state-level (N=6) and local-level (N=53) Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages might contribute to impeding the spread of Covid-19 in the United States. The study compares changes in reported rates of infections and deaths between states and localities that issued WEA messages in March and April of 2020 with states that did not. Small sample sizes and differences in the rates of Covid-19 spread prohibit robust statistical analysis and detection of clear effect sizes, but estimated effects are generally in the right direction.
