Critical Position of Correct Information by Patients: Progressive Regulatory Framework and Law Enforcement during Public Health Emergency

Abstract

This paper seeks to investigate the role of information in handling the pandemic by taking case studies of Covid-19. Correct information is the most sensitive part of the Covid-19 response. The right information can direct the right actions by health workers. On the other hand, providing false information about Covid-19 infection, symptoms or travel history by patients or their families can endanger the lives of health workers and spread the infection. Using a data-based empirical approach, this research was conducted in several districts in West Java. The results show that patients or their families lie with social motivations such as shame, avoiding stigma, and fear of vaccination. The results of the study can be used as a basis for policy making in the field of public health by intensifying socialization and education about the pandemic. In addition, strengthening the regulatory framework and law enforcement needs to be pursued to prevent infection through the provision of correct information. The findings originally underlined the information aspect as the foremost, crucial and fundamental part in dealing with the Covid-19
pandemic.