NHS announces plan to combat coronavirus fake news

[Northerner]

The NHS is launching a new initiative to fight coronavirus misinformation, a day after the government announced its own DCMS-led counter-disinformation unit, as conspiracy theories continue to spread on social media and elsewhere.

But, disinformation experts say, there remains little evidence of concerted efforts to spread falsehoods about the virus, suggesting that the misleading information in circulation is spread primarily through grassroots chatter.

For now, the health service’s efforts are focused on spreading accurate information about how to treat and prevent the virus, which causes the disease Covid-19.

NHS announces plan to combat coronavirus fake news

Move comes a day after government launches its counter-disinformation unit

www.theguardian.com

 

[grovesy]

They are bit late in the day on this. WHO organisation of a team scouring social media for false information. They were talking to a member of the team on the Victoria Derbyshire a few weeks ago.

 

[Eddy Edson]

They are bit late in the day on this. WHO organisation of a team scouring social media for false information. They were talking to a member of the team on the Victoria Derbyshire a few weeks ago.

WHO has coined a term: "infodemic".

The 2019-nCoV outbreak and response has been accompanied by a massive ‘infodemic’ - an over-abundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. Due to the high demand for timely and trustworthy information about 2019-nCoV, WHO technical risk communication and social media teams have been working closely to track and respond to myths and rumours. Through its headquarters in Geneva, its six regional offices and its partners, the Organization is working 24 hours a day to identify the most prevalent rumours that can potentially harm the public’s health, such as false prevention measures or cures. These myths are then refuted with evidence-based information. WHO is making public health information and advice on the 2019-nCoV, including myth busters, available on its social media channels (including Weibo, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest) and website.

 

[trophywench]

We all had a text from the NHS this morning - not just me and husband, a daughter visited before lunch together with an adult grand daughter, they'd both had it too. Think it must have gone to every person the NHS has a mobile number for.

 

[grovesy]

We all had a text from the NHS this morning - not just me and husband, a daughter visited before lunch together with an adult grand daughter, they'd both had it too. Think it must have gone to every person the NHS has a mobile number for.

We had our texts about a week ago. My Doctors were having computer problems this morning, when I had to call in to pick a pathology form and specimen pot.
I thought typical in the middle of a public health crisis, I kept the thoughts to myself as I did not think the reception staff would have appreciated my humour.

 

[trophywench]

LOL - our surgery had one about a fortnight ago.

 

[mikeyB]

The only misinformation that's of any significance is that the government has a handle on this outbreak. They have no plans at all for a complete lockdown like China or Italy.