Abstract: Objective To investigate the cognition and the simple coping style of the residents during the outbreak of COVID-19, so as to provide scientific basis for precise prevention and control strategy. Methods In February, 2020, the mainly residents of Guangdong Province were investigated by a self-designed questionnaire and simple coping style questionnaire （SCSQ） through network. Results There were 585 valid questionnaires collected, among which 98.8% were young and middle-aged, and 73.4% were bachelor degree or more. Medical workers accounted for 21.9%. Most of the participants were healthy （95.9%）. The results of the SCSQ showed that 332 （56.8%） people tended to adopt a positive coping style. Except positive coping scores of the age group of ≥60 higher than the norm, positive coping and negative coping scores of different gender, age, educational degree, occupation and the healthy state were lower than the norm, and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences in positive coping tendencies between different gender, age group, occupation, and health state （P>0.05）, and the positive coping tendency of different educational levels was statistically significant （P<0.05）. The main accesses of information were official news （85.0%） and timely message of APP （70.1%）. The main routes of COVID-19 transmission were droplet transmission （99.5%） and contact transmission （89.1%）. Wearing a face mask （99.5%）, avoiding gathering together （98.5%） can prevent infection. Bothering factors were limited going outsides （66.2%）, information explosion （48.9%）, and impact on the original schedule （46.7%）. Conclusion During the epidemic, people have different degrees of awareness and preventive measures, and most of them adopt a positive coping, but the scores of coping style are lower than the norm. In the public health emergency, we should strengthen the healthy knowledge of prevention and control, scientifically guide the coping style of the public.

Key words: COVID-19, Cognition, Coping style