Since March 2020, there has been much information flowing about COVID-19 every passing day. A pandemic’s appearance has made everyone conscious of multiple things that are quite basic in daily life. With the updates of standard safety measures and preventions, the public is also being flooded with bogus remedies, myths, and fake news about the virus.
So far, this misleading information about Coronavirus can cost lives, and that’s where people need to be aware of it. Wrong details on SARS-CoV-2 is as contagious as the infection itself. But there are a few ways through which you can backslash the misinformation and oppose the infodemic.
Stay connected with health experts.
It’s essential to remain updated with the news in pandemics, but having logical information is way more important. Keeping in touch with doctors and public health experts can help oppose false cures and biased information about the disease. Rather than following up with social media text or any fake practitioners who give the remedies to cure the virus, it’s essential to be away from them. Practice small yet genuine efforts like staying at home, maintaining social distance, having a balanced diet, working out, and all specific steps recommended during COVID-19.
Put the rumors away.
Right from the beginning of the Coronavirus, there have been many rumors flowing around. Some influencers are coming up with miracle medicine to prevent it, while in a few countries, the belief is flowing that by drinking grain alcohol (ethanol), COVID-19 can be cured.
According to experts and scholars, there’s plenty of misleadings out there than we are used to. All of these detracts us from the ability to come up with constructive solutions. So, getting convinced with anyone around, it’s better to be assured and put the alleged reports away.
Stay alert with sell divide information
It’s easy for experts to manipulate. The ones who spread the myths sell divide information into four categories: False cures, Conspiracies, Scapegoating, and Misinformation.
Hence, it depends on our logical understanding that information that’s been shared is from reliable sources and should be spread further or not. Also, most of the news is underlaid with political meaning. The behind reason associated with it can be weaponized as a diplomatic tool, just like how it’s happening in the current pandemic.
Flatten the curve
Being in the scenario of infodemic, don’t let the stress or depression overtake your schedules. Keep yourself enrolled in some activities, and try to bust the myths rather than being part of them. Take help from the reliable resources to build scientific knowledge with people around you, whether in-home, office, or any other place. Fighting misinformation could prove as crucial as any additional steps taken for flattening the curve.
Best-done communication can do wonders, and despair, the fear of COVID-19 from within, which is critical for public health and security. So, don’t let the infodemic overpower you or anyone else in the pandemic!
