Table 2 The description and examples of the six topics.
Topic | Description | Examples | Exemplary tweets |
|---|---|---|---|
A. Policies, methods and action | Policies and methods to prevent the spread of the virus and to stimulate or sustain the economy Actions by individuals or organizations to combat COVID-19 | Density restrictions, changes in supermarket hours, hospital procedures, travel bans, funding boosts, payroll tax relief measures, Ruth May calling for nurse support, Justin Bieber cheering for China | New Zealand’s strict new travel ban kicks in, throwing Australian sport into turmoil, as Trump blocks travellers from the UK | Live updates #coronavirus #auspol |
B. Case updates | Real-time reporting and updating of statistics on COVID-19 cases and the status of infection spread, and death toll | Ruby Princess cruise ship incident, Prince Charles testing positive | #Latest: #Italy?? total #coronavirus cases close to 15,000, death toll at 1266 |
C. Opinions and response | Opinions and responses from politicians, health experts, influencers, and the general public, and related activities and events | Discussions about social distancing ethics, criticism of President Trump’s COVID-19 treatment, and New Jersey’s social distancing measures | Former NFL player Dr. Myron Rolle on facing the influx of coronavirus cases at Massachusetts General Hospital. “I don’t think we all anticipated or prepared for the number of patients coming in.” |
D. Medical research and treatment information | News about and research progress in virology, pathology, infectious agents, modes of transmission, medications, vaccines, treatment techniques, and standards | Statements on COVID-19 vs. SARS, study on virus transmission, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as potential cures | Smoking, drinking and general poor health are some of the factors that could explain why more men seem to be dying from coronavirus than women, researchers say |
E. Impacts and consequences | Health, economic, and social impact of COVID-19, including casualties, economic collapse, and impact on social events | Forced closures, conversion to online education and work, impact on the Tokyo Olympics | All Mormon temples worldwide are closing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the Mormon Church, announced the closures in a statement |
F. Health instructions and suggestions | Advice to prevent the spread of the virus, answers to FAQs, and website links and apps for accessing relevant information | Advice on masks, social distancing, staying at home, and hand washing | New guidance to reduce the spread of coronavirus in long-term care facilities like nursing homes includes: - Screening staff, residents and patients for symptoms - Separating infected patients and residents from uninfected ones - Wearing face masks |
