National Polling Expert, LSU Manship School Researchers to Discuss Recent Survey Data on Public Reactions to the Coronavirus
May 27, 2020
BATON ROUGE – Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) national polling expert Ashley Kirzinger and LSU Manship School of Mass Communication researchers will lead a data-driven discussion on the public’s reactions to the coronavirus on Thursday, June 4, at 3:30 p.m. CST. The discussion is the sixth installment of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs Communications & COVID-19 virtual series.
“Understanding Public Reactions to COVID-19” will examine KFF’s latest research on Americans’ attitudes, knowledge and experiences related to the coronavirus, as well as the Manship School’s recent survey of public reactions to the novel coronavirus in Louisiana, a state that ranks among the nation’s top 10 in coronavirus cases and deaths per capita, according to data from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Since March 2020, KFF’s Public Opinion and Survey Research program has conducted national coronavirus-focused polls each month. The survey data cover everything from health tracking, social distancing and shelter-in-place compliance to implications of COVID-19 on mental health, substance use and employment. Kirzinger, the program’s associate director, will join the discussion as a panelist, alongside Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab. Martin Johnson, Kevin P. Reilly Sr. Chair in Political Communication and dean of LSU’s Manship School, will moderate.
Along with Kirzinger’s analysis of national trends, Henderson and Johnson will discuss their survey results, which analyzed Louisianians’ perceptions of risk, emotional response, health and economic impact, and behavioral compliance aimed at mitigating the spread of the infection. Together, Kirzinger, Henderson and Johnson will explore how the nation, Louisiana residents in particular, continue to weather the coronavirus pandemic and offer insight for policy makers, moving forward.
Registration for “Understanding Public Reactions to COVID-19” and all events in the Reilly Center’s Communications & COVID-19 series can be found at Eventbrite: Communications & COVID-19. Registrants will receive a Zoom meeting link and information on how to join. The events will also be recorded and uploaded to the Manship School’s YouTube channel.
Visit lsu.edu/manship/news for results of the second wave of Henderson and Johnson’s survey.
For more information, contact ksibley1@lsu.edu.
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The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs is partnership-driven, action-oriented and dedicated to exploring contemporary issues at the intersection of mass communication and public life. Its interdisciplinary approach draws together experts from diverse fields to advance research and dialogue. The intent is to inspire our communities to think deeply, take action, develop solutions and broaden knowledge. Underlying the Center’s endeavors is to strengthen and advance the Manship School’s national and state leadership in media and politics.
LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication ranks among the strongest collegiate communication programs in the country, with its robust emphasis on media and public affairs. It offers undergraduate degrees in public relations, journalism, political communication, digital advertising and pre-law, along with four graduate degree programs: master of mass communication, Ph.D. in media and public affairs, certificate of strategic communication and dual MMC/law degree.