By Leila Pasamonte
As the number of COVID-19 cases in the country rises, the spread of ‘fake news’ regarding the virus appears to be spreading rapidly too. Misinformation may hamper public health response, and cause turmoil.
From friends’ shared posts to forwarded messages on social media, misleading information can be tough to spot during this time of pandemic. As the number of COVID-19 cases in the country rises, the spread of ‘fake news’ regarding the virus appears to be spreading rapidly too. Misinformation may hamper public health response, and cause turmoil.
On March 16, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
On March 21 Saturday, news circulated the social media, which stated that special military helicopters would spray pesticides against the virus. The message made it to PAF Col Loreto Pasamonte, Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Intelligence for validation, and it turned out false. It was immediately relayed to the Public Affairs Office, Department of Health (DOH), and the media to clarify the misinformation.
On March 22 Sunday, a supposed message from the President (photo), which recently circulated through Facebook Messenger, claimed that Malacanang announced that there would be nationwide lockdown starting next week. The ‘advisory’ also claimed that all wet markets would close to prevent people from going out of their homes. It was certified by PAF Col Loreto Pasamonte as ‘unlikely’. The message was then relayed to the Intel Fusion Center and to the Office of the President. The Palace denied the spreading rumor immediately on the same day the photo dispersed. President spokesperson Salvador Panelo said (as tweeted by GMA Reporter Joseph Morong): “Absolutely not true. Stop believing false news and information.”
These fake news cannot be dodged from as there will be people who will continue to spread misleading information. However, this can be controlled by the public and can be fought against, by using these reliable sources:
Department of Health (DOH)
Website: http://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DOHgovph
World Health Organization
Website: https://www.who.int/
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH - RITM)
Website: http://ritm.gov.ph/
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