In his regular media briefing on May 8, Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka, expressed concern about the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19.
“…I think it’s very important that people be aware that there’s that kind of misinformation out there and to use a critical eye when you encounter information like that and ask yourself ‘what’s the source of this information?’—is it a valid source, does it really make sense in any way, and better yet to go back to trusted sources of information, valid, scientifically based sources of information,” he said.
There’s no question that it can be a challenging task to determine what’s true and what’s false, one that requires vigilance. The spread of both misinformation and disinformation are made easier by social media channels—it takes just one or two quick clicks to pass something on—as well as the rise in sophistication of the methods used to spread disinformation, in particular, that can make a questionable idea seem plausible. They prey on fear and are often designed to trigger an emotional, rather than a rational, response.
And with information rapidly evolving as scientists around the world race to understand this new coronavirus and how to best mitigate its effects—and some eager to take advantage of gaps in knowledge to spread unsubstantiated theories or lies—it makes critical thinking more important now than ever.
How can you sort the fact from the fiction and help to stop the spread of misinformation?
First, pause before sharing. Check the source. If there isn’t one included, that’s an immediate red flag. If there is one, is it one that you trust, and are there other, independent, and trustworthy sources that are saying the same thing? (We’ve gathered together some sources you can use below.)
If the content is suspicious and it’s on a social media platform like Facebook or Twitter or on a video-sharing platform like YouTube, report it.
If it maybe, kind-of-sort-of seems like it could be true, but you can’t verify it or don’t have time to, don’t share it. Even the most careful among us can be fooled by a well-crafted lie.
What are some credible sources of COVID-19 information?
Turn to public health agencies for details about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the infection it causes (COVID-19), and best practices for stopping its spread:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Where can you fact check something you saw about COVID-19 on the internet?
COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) Information Guide from the University of Toronto Libraries
The COVID-19 misinformation page created by Ryerson University
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute
COVID-19 mythbusters from the World Health Organization
Where can you build your fact-checking chops?
Doubt it? Check it. Challenge it. created by the Canadian Journalism Foundation
CIVIX digital information literacy for students in Grades 5-12
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Sham, Dowar says
Why is the pinocchio image of a black person that not cool a picture is worth a million words.
Dawn Huddlestone, Managing Editor says
Sham, the character in the image is blue.
David O Harrison says
So far, the WHO should not be considered a ‘legitimate source of information’.
1. Since the very beginning, the WHO has been wrong on just about every count. Even TODAY, they are promoting social distancing at 1-metre (3-feet), rather than the 2-metre (6-feet) recommended by everyone else. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
2. In a Reuters’ report, it was noted that Taiwan initiated screening passengers arriving from China by air on December 31, 2019, the same day they contacted the WHO for information on the virus breakout in China. “Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, sitting next to Chou, said Taiwan had fortunately decided that same day to begin screening passengers flying in from Wuhan, and activated its emergency operations center on Jan. 2, 2020 – a move experts say allowed Taiwan to effectively control the early spread of the virus.”
While Taiwan did send experts to China in January, they were not allowed to see any patients or to go to the market where the virus is believed to have originated, Chen said. That trip made Taiwanese officials realize they had to act quickly. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-taiwan/taiwan-says-who-ignored-its-coronavirus-questions-at-start-of-outbreak-idUSKBN21B160
Because of Taiwan’s preparedness and the prompt implementation of their Emergency Response Plan (which included 124 discreet action items including travel restrictions), with a population of 23.78 million, as of today, they only have 429 confirmed cases (1 infection per 55,400 people) and 6 deaths (one death per 4 million people).
The glaring question that needs to be answered is, why didn’t the WHO (and Canada) follow Taiwan’s lead? Is this not a case of astounding competence versus total incompetence?