key: cord-0960957-rizsx4t7
authors: Song, Rok; Choi, Yuh Seog; Ko, Jae Young
title: Operating a National Hotline in Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic
date: 2020-12-03
journal: Osong Public Health Res Perspect
DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.6.06
sha: cfe7e5aefb13d447da33fcbcb2fbe4ac2cd42492
doc_id: 960957
cord_uid: rizsx4t7

The importance of effective communication cannot be overestimated during a pandemic. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency national 1339 hotline has been in operation since the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak in 2016. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and provides accurate, reliable information based upon the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency guidelines in response to queries. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the 1339 hotline received callers’ questions about symptoms and the implications of their actions regarding the epidemic. Through the 1339 hotline, callers received the up-to-date information that enabled them to protect themselves as well as others from COVID-19. This public service may have influenced on reduced risk of virus transmission in Korea.

There are aspects to pandemics that can heighten risk perception [1] . People tend to feel they are at an increased risk of contracting the disease and seek information to relieve this worry. The type of information, and the way people look for information vary greatly according to their age, occupation, level of knowledge, and the specific situations they are facing. It is important to manage the tendency to search for information about the disease by providing accessible accurate information to reduce social panic, and the risk of inappropriate actions. The importance of effective communication cannot be overestimated in a pandemic [3] . The accessibility and quality of information issued to callers on the 1339 hotline enabled delivery of accurate and up-to-date information to protect themselves from COVID-19, as well as others. This public service may have influenced on reduced risk of virus transmission in Korea.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Risk Communication During COVID-19

Epidemiologic characteristics of early cases with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease in Korea

Responding to global infectious disease outbreaks: lessons from SARS on the role of risk perception, communication and management

The authors express their deepest gratitude to all 1339 hotline workers and those who supported the hotline. The opinions expressed by the authors who have contributed to this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the KDCA.This research did not receive funding from an agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.