Age differentiation of perception of anti-COVID measures (results of focus groups in the Kaliningrad region)

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a key problem for Russian society and government officials in 2020. In this regard, there is an urgency to study the assessments and peculiarities of the perception by the population of anti-covid measures of the authorities, which were initially associated with risks of a social, economic, and political nature. The purpose of this study is to identify age-related features of the perception of anti-epidemic measures of the authorities, using the example of residents of the Kaliningrad region. From August to November 2020, six focus group interviews were conducted with representatives of three age groups. The data obtained were processed in the ATLAS.ti qualitative analysis program. As a result, it was revealed that the main age differences are manifested when assessing the introduction of remote forms of social interaction in the conditions of coronavirus. The older generation's negative attitude to innovation is due to concern for their grandchildren and children receiving the necessary educational and communication skills and competencies in this format, as well as due to fears of being deceived by fraudsters. At the same time, young people and middle-aged people note the positive possibilities of distance learning due to the simplification of the implementation of a number of social actions. Age differences were also revealed regarding the perception of information about the pandemic situation provided by government representatives. The youth believes that the distortion of this information may be based on the political motives of the authorities. Representatives of the older age group believe that the reason for the correction of information by the authorities is the desire to obtain financial benefits at the expense of the population. People in the age group of 31-49 years see this distortion mainly as a good motive for preventing panic among the population. Estimates of the introduction of self-isolation and the attitude to mass vaccination against COVID-19 were similar among representatives of different generations. Often supporting the regime of self-isolation, respondents noted the obligation of the authorities to ensure the financial security of people. Regarding the use of the vaccine, skepticism was found among all age groups due to fears about its unreliability