Question

"The World Health Organization (WHO) is leading the effort to slow the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. But a global epidemic of misinformation—spreading rapidly through social media platforms and other outlets—poses a serious problem for public health. “We’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the Munich Security Conference on Feb 15."

Propose any technologies /technological techniques that could potentially be used to combat the infodemic.

Answer 1

Infodemics are an excessive amount of information about a problem, which makes it difficult to identify a solution. They can spread misinformation, disinformation and rumours during a health emergency. Infodemics can hamper an effective public health response and create confusion and distrust among people.

Misinformation like that the virus cannot survive in the hot weather, that taking a high dose of chloroquine medication can protect you, and that consuming large quantities of ginger and garlic can prevent the virus etc on search and media companies like Facebook, Google, Pinterest, Tencent, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and others.

For handling this infodemics crisis we can control by providing more accurate and reliable information to the people by the trusted organisation like WHO,U.N, countries national health authorities. Also providing region/state wise data on a mobile application will help to reduce fear and anxiety related to the diseases spread. More over, giving an awareness programme by local government body through social media will improve the knowledge about corona in common people.