Politicization of COVID-19 and Conspiratorial Beliefs Among Emergency & Public Health Officials

DeYoung Sarah E. () and Farmer Ashley K. ()
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DeYoung Sarah E.: Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
Farmer Ashley K.: Illinois State University, Criminal Justice Sciences, Normal, USA

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 385-403

Abstract: In this research, we identified how political beliefs impact emergency manager’s perception of COVID-19 severity and risk. Specifically, we gathered data from people with a broad range of roles in emergency management including healthcare, mitigation, response, fire, rescue, and other areas. We asked respondents their beliefs about the severity of COVID-19, their belief in health conspiracy theories, and the public health measures associated with COVID-19 response. Quantitative results showed political affiliation was a predictor for belief in health conspiracies, as well as beliefs about social distancing as a proper mitigation measure for the spread of COVID-19, and that age and years in emergency management were not significant predictors for beliefs in health conspiracies. Qualitative results included several main themes, including frustration about the politicization of COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts, challenges in PPE (personal protective equipment) procurement, tension between public health and emergency management, misinformation about COVID-19, and lack of leadership at the federal level. These findings fill a gap in the literature regarding how political beliefs shape risk, trust, decision-making, and collaboration within emergency management.

Keywords: COVID-19; emergency managers; health conspiracy beliefs; politicization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1515/jhsem-2021-0072

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