In pandemic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals’ behavior has a strong impact on epidemiological processes. Compliance with prevention guidelines, such as social distancing, is critical to avoid further spreading an infectious disease or to slow down its spread. However, some individuals also or instead engage in panic behavior, such as hoarding. We investigate how education prepares individuals to respond adequately by modelling the path from seeking information about COVID-19 to eventual behavior. Based on a sample of N = 1182 adult Americans, gathered at the pandemic’s onset (March 2020), we conclude that science knowledge helps individuals convert information into coronavirus knowledge. This knowledge then helps individuals avoid panic behavior. Individuals lacking coronavirus knowledge and science knowledge still comply with prevention guidelines when they have a general trust in medicine. Individuals lacking knowledge still follow prevention guidelines when they trust in medicine. Facilitating science knowledge and trust in science through education and targeted public health messaging are likely to be of fundamental importance for bringing crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

在大流行危机（例如COVID-19大流行）中，个人行为对流行病学过程具有重大影响。遵守预防指导原则，例如远离社会，对于避免传染病进一步传播或减缓其传播至关重要。但是，有些人也或者代替地从事恐慌行为，例如ho积。我们通过模拟从寻找有关COVID-19的信息到最终行为的路径，研究教育如何使个人做好充分应对的准备。基于N的样本 =大流行初期（2020年3月）聚集了1182名成年美国人，我们得出的结论是，科学知识可帮助个人将信息转换为冠状病毒知识。然后，这些知识可以帮助个人避免恐慌行为。缺乏冠状病毒知识和科学知识的个人在对药物有普遍信任时仍然遵守预防指南。缺乏知识的人在信任医学时仍会遵循预防指南。通过教育和有针对性的公共卫生信息交流促进科学知识和对科学的信任对于控制诸如COVID-19大流行等危机很重要。