Ten considerations for effectively managing the COVID-19 transition.

Habersaat, Katrine Bach; Betsch, Cornelia; Danchin, Margie; Sunstein, Cass R; Böhm, Robert; Falk, Armin; Brewer, Noel T; Omer, Saad B; Scherzer, Martha; Sah, Sunita; Fischer, Edward F; Scheel, Andrea E; Fancourt, Daisy; Kitayama, Shinobu; Dubé, Eve; Leask, Julie; Dutta, Mohan; MacDonald, Noni E; Temkina, Anna; Lieberoth, Andreas; Jackson, Mark; Lewandowsky, Stephan; Seale, Holly; Fietje, Nils; Schmid, Philipp; Gelfand, Michele; Korn, Lars; Eitze, Sarah; Felgendreff, Lisa; Sprengholz, Philipp; Salvi, Cristiana; Butler, Robb

Governments around the world have implemented measures to manage the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While the majority of these measures are proving effective, they have a high social and economic cost, and response strategies are being adjusted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that communities should have a voice, be informed and engaged, and participate in this transition phase. We propose ten considerations to support this principle: (1) implement a phased approach to a 'new normal'; (2) balance individual rights with the social good; (3) prioritise people at highest risk of negative consequences; (4) provide special support for healthcare workers and care staff; (5) build, strengthen and maintain trust; (6) enlist existing social norms and foster healthy new norms; (7) increase resilience and self-efficacy; (8) use clear and positive language; (9) anticipate and manage misinformation; and (10) engage with media outlets. The transition phase should also be informed by real-time data according to which governmental responses should be updated.