Tell us! What COVID-19 risks and harms can we accept as a society?
- Topic
- Inclusive society
- Focus
- COVID-19 pandemic; health
- Method
- Advisory board, Co-creation, Crowdsourcing
- Duration
- March 2021 – May 2021
- Status
- completed
- Location
- Austria
- Funding
- OIS Center project
What is the project about?
After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that whilst the measures taken to curb the spread of the virus had succeeded in reducing the number of infections, the risk of contracting the virus had never been eliminated entirely. Furthermore, the COVID-19 measures led to other health-related, as well as social and economic, harms for society as a whole. For this reason, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety (LBI DHPS) has launched the crowdsourcing initiative ‘Tell us! What COVID-19 risks and harms can we accept as a society?’
What is the goal of the project?
The aim was to reach a broad societal consensus on the risks and harms associated with COVID-19 and to draw up recommendations for action for politicians and other decision-makers.
Who participates in the project?
Relatives; doctors; members of the public; researchers; healthcare professionals; children and young people; teachers; patients; carers; psychologists; psychotherapists; school pupils; students
How are participants involved in the project?
Between March and April 2021, the Austrian public was invited to share their experiences and views on a potential COVID-19 infection, as well as on the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus, via the online platform “coronarisiko.lbg.ac.at” (website no longer active). Over 500 contributions on COVID-19 risks and harms were submitted.
Based on the results of the crowdsourcing initiative, a total of 16 experts and members of the public discussed three topics in three co-creation workshops at the end of May 2021: severe long-term effects (mental and physical), social division, and the empowerment and commitment of citizens. The aim was to reach a broad societal consensus on the risks and harms of COVID-19 and to develop recommendations for action for policymakers and other decision-makers.
What are the results of the project?
- Crowdsourcing results (PDF in German)
- Recommendations for action (PDF in German)
What publications have emerged from the project?
Tell Us! A survey of public opinion on how to deal with COVID-19 risks and subsequent harm: Journal publication
Project lead
Elisabeth Klager, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety
