COVID-19 – Fake News (guideline)

Corona Virus is REAL and therefore we should be reading or sharing real and reliable news from credible sources about this pandemic. The world is at war with the COVID-19 virus and now is the time for all the nations to work together. It is because of this pandemic that the world is now singing one tune “Let’s fight together, by staying away from each other”. Information is key to this fight and if we spread the incorrect information around, people might die because of these actions. Fake news about COVID-19 can be even more dangerous than the virus itself as this can lead to things such as panic buying, sinophobia and xenophobic attacks.

Panic buying is when people purchase more than they require and this might contribute to more people moving around or visiting places further away from their residences in search of essentials that may have been out of stock due to panic buying. This, in turn, might lead to more movements by the communities, which is a violation of government mandate of limiting the movement of people.

For more reliable and trustworthy information on this pandemic, please visit the DUT website. The South African Government website and the World Health Organization (WHO). You can read more about the danger of creating and sharing fake news here

REMEMBER:

• Wash your hands
• Refrain from touching your face
• Drink water regularly

 Compiled by Romeo Matumba, DUT Subject Librarian