Developing an Assessment Framework of the Recovery Calendar for COVID-19 Calamity: Based on the Data from the June 2021 Survey

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a global threat. It is considered a CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive) disaster that has caused not only a public health crisis but also psychological, social, and economic problems. The recovery of social and economic activities remains an urgent issue. This study developed an assessment framework of the “recovery calendar” to visualize the process of people’s recognition of recovery from the COVID-19 calamity. Data on this recovery calendar were collected from an online questionnaire survey administered on a total of 449 respondents from 10 groups divided by gender (male or female) and age (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and above). The results showed that the recovery process took place in the following order: recognition of COVID-19’s impact on society and of the imposition of a constrained lifestyle, recognition of returning to work or the resumption of local schools, and finally, recognition of the recovery of the household and local economies, although these remained at a low level of activity. Importantly, the recovery progressed slowly. The results also indicated that measures such as the declaration or lifting of the state of emergency, or the “Go To” travel campaign, affected people’s recognition of recovery. Moreover, the recognition of recovery depended on social demographics. Men, younger people, and those with a stable life base were more likely to perceive recovery from the disaster. This study discussed the applicability of the assessment framework of the recovery calendar to visualize people’s recovery process from the COVID-19 calamity.