There’s a whole lot of coronavirus nonsense making the rounds as of late. And whether or not it comes from a craven conspiracy theorist, an unhinged elected official, or a good information group that made an trustworthy mistake, misinformation will be harmful.
As well being communicators, we are able to counter coronavirus misinformation by giving our audiences the precise info — and educating them to inform reality from fiction for themselves. Strive these methods:
- Share trusted sources. Debunking each particular person story that incorporates coronavirus misinformation can be a full-time job. So as a substitute, attempt directing folks to your go-to sources for COVID-19 data — like CDC or your native well being division. Get your readers used to seeing credible sources cited — possibly the following time they go in search of data on their very own, they’ll default to these sources.
- Supply ideas for recognizing sketchy sources. Does an article have apparent typos? Inconsistent formatting? These are simple clues that the supply is likely to be a little bit off. We want we may go additional and say that if one thing sounds unbelievable, it’s in all probability pretend. However, you already know, you simply can’t say that as of late. What you are able to do is encourage folks to make use of frequent sense, and to verify different sources when a information merchandise sounds extra bonkers than typical.
- Unfold the phrase that social media is a blended bag, reality-clever. Social media will be a good way to unfold public well being messages. However folks additionally have to know {that a} put up from their buddy’s cousin’s buddy (who’s a physician!) is probably not a fantastic information supply. And that we are able to’t depend on social media corporations to take away dangerous misinformation.
- Take into account skipping mythbusting. It’s tempting to name out probably the most absurd myths about coronavirus. (5G, anybody?) However after we repeat harmful myths — even for the aim of debunking them — we run the danger that our audiences will keep in mind the parable, not the actual fact. That is very true when persons are rapidly skimming, say, a tweet. Generally it’s safer to let the info communicate for themselves.
- Encourage folks to get their science from scientists — not politicians. In an emergency, folks naturally look to their elected leaders for steering. However in a public well being disaster, getting politicians to cede the rostrum to public well being consultants is one option to combat harmful pseudoscience.
And eventually, as you navigate this difficult well being comm panorama, keep in mind to remain empathetic. Most individuals who imagine and share coronavirus misinformation aren’t silly or evil — simply scared, confused, and in search of solutions. Judgment and condescension have by no means been efficient methods to vary folks’s minds, and that’s not going to vary now.
The underside line: Assist your audiences follow trusted sources and spot coronavirus misinformation.