In this presentation, given to the IDEA student association at the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, I engage with recent findings that question which social groups are perceived as having a higher priority on health care (ICU and vaccination) amidst the coronavirus crisis.

1. Tim Reeskens | November 23, 2020
(with Femke Roosma & Evelien Wanders)
How to Survive COVID-19
A Sociological Perspective

2. Look Mom, We Hit The News!
“Also people who ignore the coronavirus
measures should not receive priority,
according to research by Tilburg University.”
“Overweight people should be put at the end
of the line when it comes to vaccination”
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3. What We Really Did
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4. Public Opinion, and Why It Matters
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Deservingness Theory

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Finding Relevant Criteria

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• Integrated in LISS Panel
(by CentERdata)
• Part of COVID-19
Wave 2 Questionnaire
• Fielded from October 5-27
(2nd lockdown since 10/14)
• N = 1,601
• Representative for NL
• Choice-based conjoint exp
• Tough cookie!
The Design

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• Early in the coronavirus crisis, the government and experts were
concerned that the intensive care unit would be overwhelmed with
COVID-19 patients. Although it has not yet happened [in the Netherlands]
that the intensive care unit could no longer cope with the inflow of
COVID-19 patients, considerations are made which patients should be
given priority over ICU beds. Below you can find two descriptions of
COVID-19 patients whose doctors estimate the probability of survival
equally. Which of the two do you think should be given priority?
• Currently, the pharmaceutical industry is working hard developing a
vaccine against COVID-19. Since the production of the vaccine on such
a large scale takes time, it most likely will not be readily available to
everyone. Below you will find two descriptions of persons who would like
to be vaccinated. If the vaccine is not available to everyone, who do you
think should be given priority in vaccination?”
The Introductions

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Characteristics Person A: Person B
Age  27 years old
 52 years old
 77 years old
 27 years old
 52 years old
 77 years old
Weight  Healthy weight (BMI = 22)
 Unhealthy weight (BMI = 31)
 Healthy weight (BMI = 22)
 Unhealthy weight (BMI = 31)
Compliance with
coronavirus
measures
 Went on holiday to Barcelona in
spite of a negative travel advice
 Canceled a holiday to Barcelona
when a negative travel advice was
given
 Went on holiday to Barcelona in
spite of a negative travel advice
 Canceled a holiday to Barcelona
when a negative travel advice was
given
Situation
(before retirement)
 Nurse
 Teacher
 Administrative assistant
 Unemployed
 Nurse
 Teacher
 Administrative assistant
 Unemployed
The Attributes

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Results (1): Priority over ICU bed

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Results (2): Early Access to COVID-19 Vaccine

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• Public opinion matters!
• Control over social risk thwarts solidarity
• Difficulty of drafting public policy
• Reciprocity plays an important role, too
• Priority for ‘crucial’ sectors
• Lots of research possible
Conclusion