THERE have outlandish suggestions to beat COVID-19, and much talk about the negative impact of vaccines.
They are challenging scenarios that have flooded the internet space over recent months.
In fact health specialists suggest there has been so much misinformation about health in general, vaccines, and medicine to treat illnesses, that it is a major concern.
On its website, the World Health Organization had this posted yesterday: ‘As the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we face the challenge of an overindulgence of information related to the virus.
Some of this information may be false and potentially harmful.
Inaccurate information spreads widely and at speed, making it more difficult for the public to identify verified facts and advice from trusted sources, such as their local health authority or WHO.
However, 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.’
Misinformation about 5G mobile networks being linked to the spread of COVID-19 for instance, to suggestions that being exposed to the sun and temperatures higher than 25 degrees Celsius can protect you from the impact of the virus have been torn apart by the WHO myth busters.
You can access the WHO website to read about misinformation, and myths being cut to pieces.
So it was encouraging to note the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Fiji Council of Social Services yesterday launching their first activity aimed at addressing the increasing misinformation and hate speech surrounding COVID-19 in Fiji.
IRI Resident National program officer Elenoa Fuli said it was important to address the issue.
“IRI received extra funding from USAID and we have seen that as time went by in the COVID-19 pandemic, people were assisted by the health ministries and other organisations but there was nothing allocated to address misinformation and hate speech dissemination,” she said.
“I have not seen any other organisation forming such works and I think in terms of COVID-19 while you physically recover, you need to also recover mentally and get the right information.”
Another recipient, Jerry Vatuwaqa of Stage Tech Fiji, said they would be using technology to educate the public about the need to verify information before distribution.
“During COVID-19, I think there was a lot of misinformation which was mostly influenced by talanoa sessions, social media, therefore, our main message is to think first, analyse the information, make sure the sources are right and then share it out,” he said.
The project is funded by the USAID under which three grantees were awarded grants of $5000 to undertake their planned works in combating misinformation and hate speech.
United States chargé d’affaires Tony Greubel said the US government would continue to support the Pacific Island nations in their fight against COVID-19.
At the ground level, let’s cut out the misinformation.
Let’s turn to credible and trusted sources of information for updates. Let’s remind ourselves about social distancing requirements for starters.
Wash your hands often, and do not touch your face when out in public.
Sneeze into an elbow or into a tissue and dispose them thoughtfully, safely. Remember we are COVID-contained.
Let’s keep the status quo.
