Befolkningens reaktion på COVID-19 set i lyset af aviser og andre medier

Abstract

The population of Denmark had no former expericence with pandemics, meaning that its evaluation of risk and the necessary measures against contagnation were dependent on the dissemination of information through the media. This article uses a media-centric prism to discuss the themes found throughout this special issue, arguing that the Government's use of the media as well as the media's support of rapidly evolving government policies had a decisive impact on the population's response. This argument is supported by a thematically organized discussion of events between 11 March until the early part of October 2020. The themes are the horror raised by the pandemic, the ethical considerations regarding easy and equal access to the health services, unemployment, global warming and, not the least, religion as seen in relation to COVID-19. This last theme is considered in relation to whether the pandemic could be a punishment decided by God or perhaps a personified Nature's revenge due to humans' ill-tratment. The meaning of the prohibition on public rituals and the application of private rituals are considered at last.