In January 2020, the first case of COVID‐19 infection was diagnosed in Country A after a tourist tested positive for the virus. Since then, the number of coronavirus cases in Country A has been growing exponentially, reaching 5000 cases within one month. By mid‐February, the President of Country A declared the COVID‐19 pandemic a national emergency. The national and local governments in Country A prepared and implemented a response plan that included numerous strategies. Country A's National Institute for Infection Control issued guidelines on the use of masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing. New dedicated health facilities were constructed to meet the growing demand for hospitalizations. National and local governments jointly worked on a testing strategy to help identify and quarantine COVID‐19 cases and their contacts. Resources and local government personnel were dedicated to sterilizing public spaces during the pandemic.
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[More restrictive] Additionally, The government implemented a stay‐at‐home order throughout Country A. In two cities with the highest rate of COVID‐19, a lockdown was implemented. Local government installed physical barriers restricting resident mobility. Food and medications were delivered by law enforcement authorities. Public transportation was suspended. All residents were required to install a mandatory electronic system Cov19App on their private mobile phones. The government used the system to remind citizens of restrictions and serve as a contact tracking device in case anyone became infected. Residents submitted requests to leave home through Cov19App reporting the purpose and duration of their trips. Enhanced police surveillance of streets to monitor the compliance with the stay‐at‐home order was implemented nationally. Penalties (fines and jail time) were instituted for violating the restrictions. To minimize the panic and protect the public from misinformation about the pandemic, the government implemented increased monitoring of mass media outlets and individual social media accounts. New laws were passed involving penalties for spreading false information.	[Less restrictive] Additionally, Partnering with community organizations and private companies, government agencies actively promoted voluntary, responsible social distancing and self‐isolation. A stay‐at‐home order was implemented in two cities with the highest rate of COVID‐19. To enhance citizen cooperation and compliance, government agencies were open and transparent. They promoted and encouraged information sharing through constant disclosure of real‐time data on COVID‐19 to the general public, as well as the media and major private public health agencies. Through the partnership with the largest internet provider in Country A, a free 3‐month broadband subscription was offered to all interested users to promote access to information and online public education. An electronic system called Cov19App was created for citizens to access up‐to‐date information, public health recommendations, and regional statistics about new cases and deaths. Residents were encouraged to install Cov19App on their private mobile phones.
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[2 stars] On June 30, 2020, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations issued a joint report describing and evaluating governments' responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in all affected countries. According to this report, Country A's government's response to COVID‐19 was rated 2 stars () on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 stars being the best rating).	[3 stars] On June 30, 2020, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations issued a joint report describing and evaluating governments' responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in all affected countries. According to this report, Country A's government's response to COVID‐19 was rated 3 stars () on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 stars being the best rating).	[4 stars] On June 30, 2020, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations issued a joint report describing and evaluating governments' responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in all affected countries. According to this report, Country A's government's response to COVID‐19 was rated 4 stars () on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 stars being the best rating).
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[Inequity] The report also noted that COVID‐19 cases and deaths in Country A were not equally distributed across income groups. Specifically, COVID‐19 cases and deaths were significantly higher among low‐income persons compared to high‐income persons.	[No information]
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[Assessments] Please assess the following statements in terms of what you believe characterizes the government in Country A and its response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Use a 7‐point scale, from 1 (“Does not fit at all”) to 7 (“Fits very well”). a If you lived in Country A, how comfortable would you be with the way in which its government responded to the COVID‐19 pandemic? To what extent would you approve of the way in which its government responded to the COVID‐19 pandemic?

^a For assessment questions, refer to the text for specific wording in Table 1. The labels in the brackets were not shown to participants.