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Examining Risk Perception

The peer-reviewed article, “Risk perception of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its related factors among college students in China during quarantine”, examines the symptoms, nature, and perceptions of the COVID-19 virus. In particular, this study dives into college students’ understandings about the virus, and how their understandings can influence the spread of the coronavirus.


Written by Navreen Dosanjh


Identifying COVID-19

The common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever, cough, dyspnea, pneumonia, and other respiratory symptoms. In some cases, people infected with COVID-19 may not show any symptoms, which may lead to the spreading of the virus without the knowledge of its carriers.


Perception of COVID-19

Because COVID-19 virus has spread out of control and become a world-wide pandemic, this virus has gotten an unbelievable amount of social attention. Although this recognition may help the population understand what is going on, it can also impact risk perception.


This study explores the nature of how a lot of college students examine their risk perception.

  • Firstly, the article mentions that many students are very social. The need for socializing can motivate students to go on vacations, which can significantly influence the spreading of the virus.

  • Secondly, the article indicates that many college students are healthy, and therefore usually have mild symptoms. College students might underestimate the seriousness of the COVID-19 even if they have the related symptoms.


To study the impacts of these facts, a questionnaire was sent out to college students of various genders, ages, majors, and schools. It was found that the majority of college students had a high risk perception. This means that many students are inclined to take preventative actions against the virus. Results also show that females, students who have families that were exposed to the virus, students who know how to correctly take sanitary measures, as well as the students who had a higher knowledge level, had a higher risk perception.


It is very important for students to have a high risk perception in order to be aware and take preventative measures against the virus. The quicker we increase our knowledge on the coronavirus, the faster we can return to our normal lives!



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