Mission 1: Share the Facts & Stop Misinformation About COVID-19

COVID-19 Infodemic

According to WHO, infodemic means a flood of information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks, and no thanks to technology, social media, and messaging apps, they have created a space for an overabundance of both information and misinformation about COVID-19, the virus, and vaccination.

While technology keeps us connected and updated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also become an avenue to spread rumors and misinformation. Rumors and misinformation can be dangerous to our health. They can stop us from taking the right action to protect ourselves, lead to harmful practices or make us feel stressed because we don't know what to believe.

So, are we doing enough to address the infodemic that happens in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic/endemic?

Our mission: Share the facts, stop misinformation!

Informed individuals like you and I have the power to reject misinformation and only share information that is factual and helpful. Here's what we can do before we share or forward information about COVID-19.

Look for facts and evidence

Be critical of the information you receive. Does it seem accurate and draw on scientific research and guidelines? Have you compared the information with trusted sources such as WHO, CDC, and KKM?

Some may comment that these trusted sources are not trustworthy or they are saying things for the benefit of the vaccine companies, etc. If that's your opinion, I won't argue with you because to each its own. However, you need to take accountability for what you believe in. Misinformation may cost someone their life.

Navigating the infodemic: top tips to identify misinformation or disinformation

Choose carefully

Only share, like or forward content from trusted sources as mentioned earlier on. For me, I will always go back to what WHO, CDC, and KKM say. By doing so, I know I will be sharing facts and not rumors and hear-says or conspiracy theories that cause more panic.

Everyone can help to stop the spread. If you see content online that you believe to be false or misleading, you can report it to the hosting social media platform.

Be cautious

Be careful with what you share. Things aren't always what they seem online. Refrain from sharing information if you are unsure how true or untrue it is. Digital footprint can be impossible to erase. Once you share something that becomes viral, people may screenshot it and spread it around. So, if it turns out to be untrue, can you imagine the repercussions? Call me a coward but I don't want to have someone's blood on my hands.

Be a good example

Respectfully correct or talk to people in your social networks who spread rumors or misinformation. For this, I pledge to commit to spreading facts about COVID-19 to keep society happy this week by only quoting information from WHO, KKM, CDC for anything related to COVID-19 on my social media posts.