Information seeking, personal experiences, and their association with COVID-19 risk perceptions: demographic and occupational inequalities

The impacts of COVID-19 are not evenly distributed in society. Understanding demographic and occupational differences personal experiences information seeking how these shape perceptions related risk may help to improve the effectiveness public health strategies future. We surveyed a nationally representative sample 496 participants during first UK lockdown, May 2020. recorded data assess people’s pandemic, examining they varied with factors such as age, gender, status, key worker status. also on seeking, behaviours were risk. found that workers reported greater exposure more extensive experience virus within their social circles. Those who perceived protective equipment be effective felt was less threat lives. Trust highest from Government NHS, lowest media. men lower levels life than women – difference mirrors gender our sample. Among those employment, class associated higher infection life. Key feel insufficiently protected by PPE increased threat, which lead negative behaviours. This highlights need for employers ensure adequately COVID-19. Our findings highlight some inequalities distribution across society discuss