Greater city municipalities in the struggle against the coronavirus epidemic in Turkey: Cases of Ankara, İstanbul and Kocaeli

Since December 2019, countries have been working to minimize the effects of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which quickly turned into a global disaster after emerging in China. Countries have not only intervened in this process with national policy measures, but have also participated through many initiatives and applications via local governments. The aim of this study is to investigate the practices carried out by metropolitan municipalities in the fight against the coronavirus and the levels of perception of these municipal applications by the public. In the study, data was collected using the survey method with the participation of 960 citizens residing in Istanbul, Ankara and Kocaeli metropolitan municipalities. The data obtained were analyzed using T test and ANOVA test in the SPSS package program. As a result of the analysis, there was no significant difference between the local production of masks and disinfectants, which are sub-dimensions of COVID-19 applications, in Istanbul, Ankara and Kocaeli groups. However, it was determined that there are differences between the cities of the participants in terms of informing and raising public awareness, carrying out disinfection and cleaning activities, providing social aid and support services, conducting inspections on measures and restrictions taken against the Coronavirus epidemic, offering culture, art, sports and psychological support services, and preventive and alleviating activities against the pandemic. There is a significant difference between the COVID-19 application scale and the city groups where the participants reside. It was found that the average value of Ankara was higher than the average value of Kocaeli, and the average value of Kocaeli was higher than the average value of Istanbul.