{"id":2955,"date":"2020-03-26T18:46:48","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T18:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.translatorswithoutborders.org\/blog\/?p=2955"},"modified":"2024-08-22T14:28:32","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T14:28:32","slug":"literacy-levels-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/translatorswithoutborders.org\/blog\/literacy-levels-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Countries with lower literacy levels need different COVID-19 communication strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"

People have a right to access the information they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the format and language of that information need to evolve as COVID-19 spreads to nations with lower literacy rates and more vulnerable groups of people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"covid-19<\/p>\n

The information should be easy for people to find, understand and use. It’s unwise to assume that written formats are always the most efficient way to convey information. <\/span>As the disease rapidly expands into countries with lower rates of literacy, organizations involved in the response need to shift focus from written information to developing significantly more pictorial, audio, and video content.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That is the best way to ensure that older people, women, and other vulnerable people in those countries have the best chance of understanding lifesaving information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a necessary adjustment where infection control limits in-person community engagement. Social media, SMS services, call centers, television, and radio will be essential communication channels. Formats need to diversify accordingly if the message is to get across.<\/span><\/p>\n

Literacy dynamics are rapidly changing<\/b><\/h2>\n

COVID-19 is now rapidly spreading in countries with lower literacy rates. The average literacy rate in countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases on February 19 was 94%. One month later it was 89%.<\/span><\/p>\n