I've been writing about the need for empathetic public health messaging, which is more effective than trying to shame people into changing their behavior. Some have asked what exactly that looks like.

Here are a few simple examples.

It's easy to call people selfish for going to brunch in a pandemic. But messages about the risk of gathering indoors will be heard much more clearly when they come from a place of compassion. https://twitter.com/uche_blackstock/status/1277581998773751810?s=20

Acknowledging what people dislike about masks, instead of telling them to stop whining, will help them trust you when you try to convince them it's worth the discomfort. https://twitter.com/jdangjackson/status/1276675231743045632?s=20

Social distancing goes against human nature. When we recognize what's hard for people about adopting public health advice, that creates opportunities to identify lower-risk ways of helping them get their needs met. https://twitter.com/gregggonsalves/status/1277598957611487234?s=20