We’ve all seen them. Those social media posts with helpful tips to combat COVID-19, like eating garlic or taking hot baths. Or that forwarded WhatsApp message from a “friend of a friend” with insider information that the authorities aren’t telling us. It’s all very compelling so, keen to help others stay informed, you share it on. After all, even if it’s not 100% legit, no real harm done, right?
Wrong. Studies from the University of East Anglia (UEA) have found the spread of misinformation during epidemics could make them worse. The authors warn, “Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly—and it can change human behavior to take greater risks.” Risks like not washing hands or disinfecting surfaces properly or failing to self-isolate.
The danger of misinformation is perhaps greatest with a disease like COVID-19 about which so little is known and the learning curve is steep even for the experts. Take fear, scarce information and a public that largely stays informed online, add a lack of faith in our leaders and the media, bake until you have a perfectly formed conspiracy theory (or well-meaning but misleading advice) and unleash it upon the world.
Get the Facts
The good news is, however, that reducing the amount of bad advice could mitigate its impact.
Dr Anastasia Dedyukhina of Consciously Digital says, “You can help stop spreading coronavirus right now, by being a bit more careful with what you share.” Before you send something on, immunize yourself against misinformation with resources like the WHO’s Mythbusters page or FAQs on sites like the Centers for Disease Control. There are also numerous fact-checking sites investigating coronavirus stories and claims, including the BBC’s Reality Check, Full Fact, FactCheck and Snopes. Harvard University also offers a handy fake news checklist to help you identify red flags.
Ask yourself: What’s the source of this information? How credible is it? What makes this person an expert? What evidence is it based on? Has it been published or cited anywhere else? More importantly: Would a journalist publish this? Would a lawyer use it in court? If the answer is no, then think very carefully before you pass it on. Even if you’re convinced, remember everyone is suffering from information overload right now. How will this information actually help them?
Knowledge is power and it’s surprisingly easy to keep up with the latest scientific research, including genuinely useful information that answers some of the questions flying around, like how long COVID-19 survives on surfaces. The publisher Elsevier has set up a Coronavirus Information Center and made thousands of articles available for free. Even non-scientists can usually get the gist of complex research by reading the abstract, introduction and conclusions.
Photo by Brian Mcgowan.
Official Sources of Information:
Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona Coronavirus and COVID-19 Q&A
World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus and COVID-19 Q&A
World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus and COVID-19 Q&A
National Institutes for Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Coronavirus and COVID-19 Q&A
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Podcasts about the coronavirus
Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias (CCAES) (in Spanish)
Generalitat de Catalunya Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Info (in Catalan)
Stay informed, stay safe, stay sane. We’re living in crazy times. Don’t make them crazier.
Events
Consciously Digital is running two practical online events this week to help manage digital overload and misinformation.
March 25, 2020 (Wed) Practical tips for parents on how to make working from home easier, calmer and happier, when your children are stuck there, too.
March 27, 2020 (Fri): Misinformation, social media and overcoming loneliness in the pandemic times.
Kate Williams.
Kate Williams is a freelance writer, editor, translator and Director of The Writer Stuff. She left her native England for Barcelona in 2003 and never looked, or went, back. When she isn’t writing or discovering all the cool stuff going on in the city, she enjoys hiking in the Catalan countryside, kayaking on the Costa Brava, and volunteers at a local animal sanctuary. You can read more by Kate here.