COVID & Technology
COVID-19 Mobile App Usage in NYS
Our research focus was on the use of COVID-19 mobile related apps by the public in New York State (NYS). Due to the pre-pandemic inequities such as the digital divide and access, as well as concerns regarding belief in the virus and vaccination, we wanted to understand what differences existed in use among marginalized populations.
Therefore, we surveyed Amazon Truckers residing in NYS and conducted focus groups, which were segmented by race and age. Though there are several theoretical models regarding use and adoption of technology, our study was premised upon the Antecedent Privacy Concerns and Outcomes (APCO) Model.
COVID-19 and Technology Use, Accessibility, and Adoption
In response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and prevent exposure to COVID-19, states and localities in the United States issued stay-at-home orders and suggested social distancing.
In many municipalities, most businesses were closed, with government leaders identifying essential and non-essential workforces. These widespread unprecedented orders forced a large majority of the near 330 million Americans to rely on technology to continue some societal functions. This workgroup will review the innovative uses of current technology and the novel technology developed during the pandemic for response efforts and for use by the public for daily life.
Older Adults and COVID-19 Messaging
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the reality disaster researchers have known all along, pre-existing inequities in society often cause extraordinary harm to previously marginalized segments of the population.
During this pandemic there are significant physical and perhaps even deadly risks for specific portions of the population, such as older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. This research explores the factors that impact decision-making by older adults through the communications disseminated to them about COVID-19 by operationalizing the Protective Action Decision-Making Model. The investigators created and administered a survey instrument to identify concerns among older adults.