Coronavirus misinformation is spreading like wildfire, and there are serious consequences.

In some cases, people are not aware that they are partaking in this risky venture. They simply want to share all the information that they receive to their loved ones, often done with good intention, so that they too can be informed and protect themselves. However, we should not be sharing information that we have not verified on our own. This could truly make a difference.

Misinformation stirs up a panic among the population. People are confused and tend to make bad decisions. They use platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to share information that they receive, which sometimes sounds official, but it is often not. It is not even factual. There have been measures put in place by these social networking corporations to limit the spread of inaccurate information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s still not controlled.

For instance, WhatsApp and WHO have partnered to make verified information more easily accessible to WhatsApp users, directly to their phones.

In a period of uncertainty like this, we need to make sure that we consume the most accurate information possible.

Here are various measures that you can take to combat misinformation:

Get educated on the subject.

You need to do your own research on the COVID-19 virus and learn from credible sources, such as the World Health Organization, or even medical experts, preferably specialists in infectious diseases.

Here is a whole page dedicated to Coronavirus COVID-19 on WHO’s official website: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Question the information that you receive, and verify the source.

We should NOT believe everything that we read or hear, whether it’s from a family member, good friend, politician or celebrity unless they are an expert in the medical/scientific field.

If you do receive information from these people and it seems interesting to you, question them about it. You need to verify the source yourself and decide whether or not it is credible. If you are unsure after researching it, consider asking a few friends for their opinion.

Remember that data can and WILL change.

This strain of the coronavirus is new, hence the name “Novel Coronavirus” - novel comes from the Latin word “novus”, which means “new”.

The information that we receive, even from organizations such as WHO, are subject to change and be updated with more accurate information, as more research is done and the experts in science and healthcare gain more knowledge about this virus.

Do not let the rapidly rising numbers scare you. The numbers will increase as more equipment and testing kits become available to healthcare providers as they are now able to test and confirm that an individual does, in fact, have COVID-19. If the kits aren’t available, the numbers will not move, as there is currently no way to confirm the virus without testing.

Please refrain from sharing unverified information. It can save lives.