This research article presents strategies for increasing public awareness and responses to COVID-19, which begins with timely publicity.

Public awareness of COVID-19 varies not only among countries but also within different regions within countries, according to an analysis using Google Trends. The US had a shorter response time and a longer duration of publica attention than most other countries. However, even as cases began to soar worldwide, Americans’ interest did not increase much. Still, Americans may be more sensitive to the topic of COVID-19 because of the rapid dissemination of the virus within the US as well as the robust methods to prevent its spread recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and some local public health departments. When facing public health emergencies, governments are reminded that in order to reduce loss, they must strengthen the publicity of the issues, shorten the response time for dealing with the emergency, improve public’s vigilance and sensitivity, and inform the public of the importance of and how to protect themselves.