Reimagining the COVID-19 digital experience: The value of user empowerment and accessibility in risk communication

Abstract

With the uncertainties and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic weighing heavily on communities, technology has become an essential medium to navigate this crisis. This study focuses on analyzing the effectiveness of the online COVID-19 symptom self-checker (created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to better understand how digital experiences can shape user perceptions in the context of a global pandemic. Through usability testing and ideation methods (prototypes), I was able to explore the impact of good design practices on public health engagement.