Supporting quotes for the CSEPs’ perceptions of contributions to epidemic management and society, and perceived barriers
| Theme | Quote |
| Contributing to epidemic management and society | |
| Raising attention of key stakeholders | ‘We had a meeting with various politicians in response to our activities. We heard that part of the issues we discussed with them were brought up during parliamentary debates, so in that sense it had some effect.’ (CSEP, conceptualization of epidemic management) |
| Alterations to policy | ‘When we started the CSEP, there was a very concrete threat of implementing the 2G-system to manage COVID-19… When we were done, that policy was off the table.’ (CSEP, conceptualization of epidemic management, referring to the 2G-system, a policy in which only people who were vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 were allowed entry to restaurants and events) |
| Eye opener to other viewpoints for society | ‘For a lot of people, we have been an eyeopener that there is also another opinion possible. We have noticed that a lot of people have felt very lonely in their position, for example at work. There seemed to be a taboo to be critical.’(CSEP, conceptualization of epidemic management, referring to epidemic management in general, and more specifically to the debate on COVID-19 vaccines) |
| Barriers to contribute | |
| Hindering full potential of CSEP | ‘From a governmental point of view, this [CSEPs] is untapped potential from which, I think, the government can gain much more. There are a lot of resource-full citizens who are good at organizing themselves… I see much more of a supporting role for the government.’ (practical CSEP) |
| Contact with key stakeholders | ‘[The National Institute involved in emergency management] is actually impenetrable. We have often called the institute, but there were no possibilities.’ (CSEP, conceptualization of epidemic management) |
| Toxicity of COVID-19 debate | ‘We became part of the debate and therefore also a part of the toxicity of the debate. I personally have called the police a few times.’ (CSEP, conceptualization of epidemic management) |
CSEPs, civil-society engagement practices.