The Public’s Perception of the Severity and Global Impact at the Start of the Novel SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Crowdsourcing Based Cross-Sectional Analysis

Why this matters

This study assessed the U.S. population’s perception and knowledge of COVID-19 and their response behaviors. This work contributes to evidence-based plastic and reconstructive surgery — helping clinicians interpret outcomes, refine technique, and counsel patients with clearer data.

Author

Dr. Orr Shauly

Plastic and reconstructive surgery resident at Emory University (UCLA BS, USC MD) with an h-index of 15 and peer-reviewed work spanning aesthetic surgery, reconstruction, medical devices, and AI in medicine.

Abstract

This study assessed the U.S. population’s perception and knowledge of COVID-19 and their response behaviors. A cross-sectional survey conducted on March 24, 2020, with 969 participants showed significant differences in perceived severity of the pandemic between age groups and genders. The majority of participants followed CDC guidelines, yet many did not correctly assess their personal risk level, highlighting the need for further public education on the risks associated with the pandemic.