As you already know, coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, has been detected across the globe in countries now.
For many, this is an understandably disconcerting moment but we should all take action to help minimize the effects on
our societies.
COVID-19 spreads but misinformation and disinformation spread even more rapidly. The most responsible thing you can do is protect yourself both from the illness and from false facts. Rather of suppositions and fabrications, being armed with
evidence and data will help explain how you can better plan for COVID-19.
Here are some services you should have faith in:
- WHO offers regular updates on the spread, infection rate and general impact of COVID-19 across our community. Their latest update, issued on March 3, 2020, reveals that healthcare professionals lack personal protective equipment. They also have a really useful FAQ section where you can read more about how you and your group can be safe.
- Each day Worldometer updates its website with the number of reported cases of COVID-19 in each affected country. Worldometer has been ranked by the American Library Association as one of the best free reference websites, and with good reason:it lists each of its daily sources here, and lists the source of each COVID19 update at the bottom of the COVID-19 article.
- Often, your local health department will have the most up-to-date details specific to your immediate area, including how to proceed if you believe the virus can display symptoms. If you live in the United States, please visit theNational Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to find the contact details for your health department.
There is another thing about this news that a lot of places don’t talk about:
the toll on one’s mental health, particularly if you’re someone who is dealing with anxiety.Please suggest reaching out to a loved one who can direct you to treatment, a mental health provider or an agency set up to support people in need if you think your questions about being prepared cross a line that affects your mental health.
Here are a few organizations you can invest in:
- Crisis Text Line is open and is supported 24/7. Simply text 741741 from anywhere in the USA. The Crisis Text Line links you with an experienced Crisis Counselor.
- For those suffering, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (@namiorg) provides free counseling and services. You can contact NAMI from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or by email at info@nami.org.
Look out for yourself. Clean your hands well, practice keeping a healthy distance from others, just wear a mask if you think you’re sick with COVID19 symptoms and can threaten others (or you’re immuno compromised yourself), and remember to test everything you see for reality. Go over to @world-wide-what for a refresher on what seems like fake news and how it is spreading. When you see them unintentionally sharing false knowledge, pass those tips onto others.