How to Deal with Coronavirus (Mis)Information Overload
2020-03-25
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1Information about the coronavirus seems to spread as fast as the virus itself.
2Sometimes it is just too much information-an overload.
3Some people even spread misinformation on purpose.
4How can you separate what is true, and what is not?
5Along with facts about the new coronavirus, untrue rumors are spreading through phone texts, social media and other places.
6For example, in the United States a rumor has been spreading that officials plan to order a nationwide lockdown.
7Not true. Another rumor claims that people can get tested for the virus by donating their blood.
8And the U.S. government has sent warning letters to several companies selling products that they claim will cure COVID-19 or protect against the virus.
9Such false stories can endanger public health and create fear.
10COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus.
11Thousands across the world have been affected by it.
12In most infected people, COVID-19 produces minor or moderate effects, like an increased temperature and dry cough.
13Some people might also experience tiredness and pain.
14Most people recover from the sickness within two weeks.
15But, for older adults and people with other health problems, the disease can be severe, sometimes even deadly.
16How can you separate fact from fiction? How can you know what is true and what is false?
17Here are some ways:
18Human nature makes us more likely to believe things our friends tell us.
19It is why rumors spread and why misinformation travels on social media.
20Everyone says they heard it from a friend of a friend, "who knows someone who knows" about an issue.
21Be suspicious of important-sounding information if it does not come from a respected source connected to the issue.
22Usually dependable sources include government agencies and health departments.
23Other organizations to trust include national and international public health institutes such as the World Health Organization.
24Some of the most trusted sources of information include research hospitals and public health centers in the United States and other countries, along with the World Health Organization.
25They provide the latest numbers, advisories and guides on everything from how to clean your home to remove the virus and how to deal with stress the pandemic is causing.
26Dr. Jessica Justman is an infectious disease expert at Columbia University.
27She said just the large amount of information online can be complexing.
28"It's not just misinformation, it's also a lack of good information," Justman said.
29"Go straight to the source. The CDC has been putting out great information."
30John Silva is director of education at the News Literacy Project, a non-profit group in Washington D.C.
31He says anyone searching for true information needs to act a little like a reporter by investigating suspect claims.
32Be careful of information from unknown or little-known groups or news organizations.
33Also, remember there is a difference between news stories and opinion pieces but both should be supported by evidence or expertise to be dependable.
34A 2018 Twitter study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that false news travels faster than real news - often much faster.
35That is because these stories often use language designed to create strong emotional reaction.
36The stories seek to connect with public fears or anger.
37The researchers also found that misinformation spreads quickly because people retweet stories based on headlines.
38So read the whole story, investigate the source and consider carefully before reposting to prevent the spread of false information.
39Pictures are said to be worth a thousand words.
40But, even photographs and videos can be edited and changed.
41Even untouched images can be false.
42For example, old images can be presented as new.
43Again, it helps to look for the source. Google's reverse image search can help find where a photo came from.
44For videos, investigate the post source - was it a traditional news organization? The WHO? A university?
45Dr. Ruth Parker is a physician at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
46She said Americans must be responsible in spreading information.
47"It's a scary time," Parker said.
48"We don't want to add fuel to the fire. Good information won't cure us, but it will help to calm us."
49I'm Jonathan Evans.
1Information about the coronavirus seems to spread as fast as the virus itself. Sometimes it is just too much information-an overload. Some people even spread misinformation on purpose. 2How can you separate what is true, and what is not? 3Along with facts about the new coronavirus, untrue rumors are spreading through phone texts, social media and other places. For example, in the United States a rumor has been spreading that officials plan to order a nationwide lockdown. Not true. Another rumor claims that people can get tested for the virus by donating their blood. And the U.S. government has sent warning letters to several companies selling products that they claim will cure COVID-19 or protect against the virus. 4Such false stories can endanger public health and create fear. 5COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus. Thousands across the world have been affected by it. In most infected people, COVID-19 produces minor or moderate effects, like an increased temperature and dry cough. Some people might also experience tiredness and pain. 6Most people recover from the sickness within two weeks. But, for older adults and people with other health problems, the disease can be severe, sometimes even deadly. 7How can you separate fact from fiction? How can you know what is true and what is false? 8Here are some ways: 9Check the source 10Human nature makes us more likely to believe things our friends tell us. It is why rumors spread and why misinformation travels on social media. Everyone says they heard it from a friend of a friend, "who knows someone who knows" about an issue. 11Be suspicious of important-sounding information if it does not come from a respected source connected to the issue. Usually dependable sources include government agencies and health departments. Other organizations to trust include national and international public health institutes such as the World Health Organization. 12Some of the most trusted sources of information include research hospitals and public health centers in the United States and other countries, along with the World Health Organization. They provide the latest numbers, advisories and guides on everything from how to clean your home to remove the virus and how to deal with stress the pandemic is causing. 13Dr. Jessica Justman is an infectious disease expert at Columbia University. She said just the large amount of information online can be complexing. 14"It's not just misinformation, it's also a lack of good information," Justman said. 15"Go straight to the source. The CDC has been putting out great information." 16Act like a journalist 17John Silva is director of education at the News Literacy Project, a non-profit group in Washington D.C. 18He says anyone searching for true information needs to act a little like a reporter by investigating suspect claims. Be careful of information from unknown or little-known groups or news organizations. 19Also, remember there is a difference between news stories and opinion pieces but both should be supported by evidence or expertise to be dependable. 20Do not immediately repost what you see 21A 2018 Twitter study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that false news travels faster than real news - often much faster. That is because these stories often use language designed to create strong emotional reaction. The stories seek to connect with public fears or anger. 22The researchers also found that misinformation spreads quickly because people retweet stories based on headlines. So read the whole story, investigate the source and consider carefully before reposting to prevent the spread of false information. 23Even images can lie 24Pictures are said to be worth a thousand words. But, even photographs and videos can be edited and changed. Even untouched images can be false. For example, old images can be presented as new. Again, it helps to look for the source. Google's reverse image search can help find where a photo came from. For videos, investigate the post source - was it a traditional news organization? The WHO? A university? 25Dr. Ruth Parker is a physician at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She said Americans must be responsible in spreading information. 26"It's a scary time," Parker said. "We don't want to add fuel to the fire. Good information won't cure us, but it will help to calm us." 27I'm Jonathan Evans. 28Barbara Ortutay and David Klepper reported this story for the Associated Press. Anne Ball adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 29How are you finding good information on the coronavirus? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. 30________________________________________________________________ 31Words in This Story 32rumor - n. information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven true 33text - n. written words or message 34cough - n. a physical condition or illness that causes someone to cough-which is when you force air through your throat with a short loud noise 35fiction - n. a story that is not true 36pandemic - n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world 37photograph - n. a picture made by a camera