NAME: EXCEL MICHAEL 
MATRIC NUM: 18/SMS04/034
COURSE CODE: CMS 204
COLLEGE: SMS
ASSIGNMENT: SOCIAL MEDIA  AND PROLIFERATION OF FAKE NEWS, DODGY HEALTH ADVICE AND FAKE CURES OF COVID 19.

                           

 

                             CORONA VIRUS DISEASE: What is it really?
        Covid 19, as we must have heard, is a respiratory disease. It is a new virus linked to the same family as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold. It can be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing amd sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. We've been told that to avoid the risk of an infection from this virus we should: 
1. Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or non alcohol based hand rub.
2. Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms.
3. Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty in breathing. 
4. Cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately. etc...
However, the rate at which the social media has picked up the covid 19 case has paved way for the Spread of fake news, cures and many other incriminating and life ending "solutions". Research has shown that Social media picked up this case from just one case in January to over a million in March. Each time announcements were made and lockdowns were issued, social media volume noted a jump; Which brings us to the proliferation of fake news, dodgy health advice and fake cures. Proliferation in its own sense is the increase in number or amount of some thing. Social media volume doubled in the same period as pantry preparation picked up significantly when social distancing and quaranting became the new norm. There was a decline in store visits and jump in online shopping. According to reports made, unprecedented wave of false and misleading claims about how people can prevent cure, and treat the virus hinas set off so quickly and they are forwarded by well intentioned but fearful and naive people. The devulge of misinformation about the pandemic is so huge that the world Health Organization(WHO) said it was fighting an "infodemic" that posed a serious threat to public health. Here are some of the shared claims: 
1. DRINKING WATER WITH LEMON: Generally, eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin c is good for the health but there is no scientific evidence that eating a particular fruit or food wil help prevent this virus. 
2. WARM WEATHER DOESN'T HELP: US President, Donald Trump, said that the April Sunshine could chase away the virus. This is not entirely true. The WHO says Coronavirus disease can be spread in ALL areas including hot and humod weather. The best way to protect yourself is through good personal hygiene. 
3. GARLIC: The WHO, world Health Organization, said that there is no evidence that eating garlic can protect anyone from the virus. Also, too much garlic can cause harm to someone's health. According to reports, a woman from south China was rushed to the hospital with her throat swollen because she ate 1.5kg lf garlic.
4. HEAT AND AVOIDING ICE CREAM: In relation to what i mentioned earlier, there is no evidence of heat curing the covid 19 case. Drinking hot water or hot liquids will not change your actual body temperature unless you are already sick.
5. MIRACLE MINERALS: Jordan Sather, who's got thousands of followers on you tube claimed that the Miracle Mineral Supplement also referred to MMS, could wipe out covid 19. Later, the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) sent a warning about the danger that comes with it if someone drinks MMS.
Fear inevitably leads to panic, speculation and the Spread of misinformation and there's a lot of fear in the world right now. Which is why we welcome the media in addressing and impacting  its roles during this season some of which includes: 
1. Effective health communication for the adoption of sustainable preventive measures and curtailing misinformation.
2. Reduction of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and inequalities.
3. public health communication to increase psychological resources and resilience in distinct age groups and socioeconomic conditions.