Communicating Uncertainties during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

With specific references to South Korea’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this commentary discusses insights and problems related to the issue of how to communicate uncertainties about health risks to affected publics. First, we discuss examples of uncertainties relating to deficiencies of knowledge and divergent views among experts. Next, we summarize key findings on effective communication about uncertainty, and we suggest possible future directions for research in this area. Last, we suggest further development of theories that could explain how people process uncertainty in communication and how uncertainty leads to specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions.