At this point it is fair to say that just about everyone is aware of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been spreading at an unsettling rate. What people may not know perhaps, is that there is a second pandemic plaguing the globe that has the potential to be just as dangerous, the infodemic.

The infodemic is the alarming spread of misinformation regarding COVID-19. But there are three key things everyone can do to slow the spread of misinformation and end the infodemic.

Check the method of distribution

Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter may not be the most reliable for up-to-date news.  The possibility of intentional manipulation or simple spreading of unfounded rumors is very high on social media.  Take care. Think before your share.

Fact Checking

Taking time to check the accuracy of information before liking or sharing helps to decrease the perpetuation of misinformation.  If an article has links to a medical study or official government source, check the links.

Check the Source

If the person sharing the information is not a doctor, government official, or someone with the knowledge to back up their claim, there is a high chance they are an unreliable source.  Be willing to do some work and dig deeper. The quality of the publication can be a rough guide, but there is a rule in journalism that will help here, “trust, but verify.” The New York Times and Washington Post, for example, have a decades-long reputation for the truth, so their information is very trustworthy.  However, a blog published by some organization you have never heard of is not the best source. For both high quality news sources and unknown news sources, check where they got their information.

Now more than ever it is important that as a society, we don’t fall victim to someone else’s misinformation. All of this new information spreads because many people don’t realize it might not be accurate at all. Many people are willing to believe what someone tells them because “it must be true”. 

Checking the method of distribution, the source, and fact checking the information could mean the difference between staying safe and informed or continuing the spread of misinformation. Remember: think before you share.