New Common - Laat met apps zien wat de burger wél kan doen in coronatijd

‘Show people what is still possible despite the corona rules’

Article

Technology to navigate the new normal

The enthusiasm to abide by the corona rules has started to flag. That almost always happens after a while in the wake of a disaster, says expert Kenny Meesters. In order to turn the tide, the best thing to do is point out to people what is still possible.

by Robert Visscher

Singing and jumping while watching a football game in a stadium. Going to a big party. Having a good time in the pub until deep into the night. These are all examples of what is no longer possible. “You must communicate very clearly about the things that are absolutely prohibited,” Kenny Meesters states. He is an expert in crisis and disaster information management and works at Tilburg University. “But at the same time, you should also take the time to state what is still possible within the rules and limitations.”

Technology can help. Meesters argues in favor of an approach whereby the options are presented to people. “Get restaurants to indicate where there is still room. Let’s assume that I want to make a reservation at an Italian restaurant. If they have a full house, I am referred to restaurants that are less crowded. In this way, businesses in the hospitality industry can help each other and make sure none of them get overcrowded. You can give such advice, for instance, in an app. A trade association can set one up. The same can be done for pubs and shops. It is a good way to create solidarity and mutual assistance.”

Virtual run

A similar approach would work for train journeys. At the moment, the emphasis is on what is not possible, for instance, communicating that a train is full. “I would prefer to hear when I can make a journey. So send a notification stating: ‘An almost empty train will arrive in ten minutes’. Show fewer options in case the train fills up more quickly after all. But above all, show people what is still possible within the rules.”

You should also take the time to state what is still possible within the rules and limitations

How to inform people on their options requires a change of thinking. Meesters likes to go running and, last weekend, there was a race in his home town of Breda. This year, the organization opted for a remarkable approach. Participants ran their own route, but they were connected via an app. The app sounded the start signal, gave radio commentary, and logged the distance run. All runners wore bibs.

“You occasionally saw other runners; that created a bond. You raised your hand to each other in passing,” Meesters says. “You also heard people cheering you on via your earpiece, as if they were lining the streets. The organization took some elements normal to running events and made them into something new: this virtual run. It is an inspiring thought with a focus on options that are open to us. They used technology in a sensible way by being smart as well as creative.”

Unclear objective

Such new approaches are needed right now because people’s resolve has begun to flag. The Dutch are increasingly casual about the rules. International research on disasters has shown that this almost always happens after some time, Meesters says. “Three months ago, more that three quarters of the Dutch population endorsed the government’s policy. People were very motivated to stick to the rules. But look at the situation now.”

Kenny Meesters

Research has shown that the first phase of a disaster is characterized by solidarity. People have a purpose: there is shared grief and the suffering must be limited. During the corona outbreak in the Netherlands, the objective in March and April was reducing the number of people in ICU. “But what was the objective when the number of unoccupied ICU beds rose? That mission was not at all clear. And we have been hearing what we cannot do for months. That is the equivalent of an alarm going off all the time. When you are cooking and the fire alarm goes off all the time, you soon stop to take it seriously. That is what it feels like for some people. They fail to take the rules seriously.”

 

The reason is also that both the rules and the objective have become less clear, according to Meesters. “There was a regional approach, but that was confusing. In what region exactly do you live, and what does that entail? People want to know what rules apply for them. As to the objective, there is all kinds information on the reproduction number, hospital admissions, and infections. People don’t know what to do with that information. They want to have options and know that their choice is going to make a difference.”

Offering perspective

As a researcher, Meesters has studied various disasters. He saw similar reactions after the earthquakes he investigated. “In the beginning, almost everyone wants to help, because the damage is clear and there is an emergency situation. After some time, people have food and shelter. Then it is much harder to think of ways to help and how to persevere. Suppose your house has collapsed and you want to go back to it to make repairs but are not allowed to do so because it isn’t safe. The government can say ‘no’ and forbid you to go there. Alternatively, it could give you some perspective: what is necessary for you to return to the region you come from? Or when will that be possible? Is it possible to find temporary work elsewhere?”

The government can say ‘no’ or give you some perspective

It isn’t lack of willingness, Meesters thinks. Many people truly want to help and collaborate, whether it is after an earthquake or in a pandemic. But they find it hard to persevere. “You can compare it to quitting smoking. Some people do so at the moment they take the decision and they never look back. Others need help. So you help that group by organizing campaigns like Stoptober, a month in which people support each other not to light a cigarette. Using technology to indicate what options are available really helps, for instance, a notification on your phone that you can take a walk in the park because it is quiet there.”

Without denying the plight of the many victims of the corona outbreak, disasters also cause major problems that are not felt until later, Meesters states. “But they are less visible and more immaterial. That is what we see in this pandemic, too, and therefore it is difficult to have nothing but rules. We need to offer people some sort of perspective and show them what they can still do within the rules. You need to help people navigate the new normal.”

 

Kenny Meesters is a researcher in crisis information management at the Department of Management of Tilburg School of Economics and Management.

 

 

This article is a publication by NEMO Kennislink.. © NEMO Kennislink

The 'New Common'

The corona crisis has compounded major societal challenges. Tilburg University shares knowledge and insights to reshape our society. We are happy to discuss this New Common.

Date of publication: 2 November 2020