By Myra Leon
As the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to spread, more media outlets and people continue to release more information about the disease and its impact. However, not all the information that’s released is true. In some cases, rumors or myths are released which cause more panic and harm.
According to the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, fake news about COVID-19 can be as dangerous as the virus. During the Munich Security conference, Ghebreyesus mentioned that we’re not only fighting an epidemic, but also an infodemic.
With social media playing a dominant role in the way information is shared, it is important that people turn to reliable outlets to receive the latest facts about COVID-19. Some outlets include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO.
According to Kate Starbird of Washington State University, who’s a leading expert on “crisis informatics”, crises always generate levels of high uncertainty. This leads people to seek information about the threat in order to resolve uncertainty and to reduce anxiety.
In efforts to reduce anxiety and uncertainty, please read this infographic which includes five myths about COVID-19 and the facts or truth behind each myth.
Myra Leon Data Journalism 