Authors: Farooq Azam Rathore ( Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, PNS Shifa Hospital, DHA II, Karachi )
Fareeha Farooq ( Department of Biochemistry, Sir Syed Medical College for Girls, Karachi. )
May 2020, Volume 70, Issue 5
Communication
Abstract
The world has experienced pandemics worse than the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which resulted in great loss of life and economy. However, the global effect of this pandemic has been devastating. Billions of people are in lockdown and isolation on six continents around the world. Most have easy access to information due to internet connectivity and electronic media, which has helped share information about the pandemic. However, information overload during the current COVID-19 pandemic has posed a set of challenges not encountered before. There is an "infodemic" in which false news, conspiracy theories, magical cures and racist news are being shared at an alarming rate, with the potential to increase anxiety and stress and even lead to loss of life. This review highlights some of these challenges and suggests general measures to avoid information overload and infodemic in the connected world of 21st century.
Keywords: Social Media, Pakistan, Coronavirus, Facebook, WHO, Global health, Mental health, Lockdown.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/JPMA.38
Introduction
Pandemics are large outbreaks of an infectious disease over a wide geographical area and can result in widespread morbidity and mortality.1 A pandemic can lead to social, economic and political disruption. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak originated from Wuhan in China in December 2019 and gradually spread to 6 continents, becoming a global threat as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic on 11th March 2020. The world has seen pandemics worse than COVID-19 with very high mortality in which millions died and economies were destroyed.1 However, the devastating global effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic appears unprecedented. At least partially this can be attributed to the information overload and "infodemic" which accompanies this pandemic,2 in which false news, conspiracy theories, magical cures and racist news are being shared. Currently, the connectivity of the world is at the highest level in human history. Access to internet and smart phones and laptops (which are now available at much cheaper rates as compared to a decade ago) has made it possible to collect and share data in real-time, collaborate across different continents, have live video conferences to share experiences, upload educational videos and make scientific information accessible to all as soon as it is available. However, during this pandemic a negative side of this connectivity has been revealed in the form of information overload and infodemic.
Problem of Information Overload and Infodemic
In pandemics before the internet era, along with the lack of well-developed healthcare systems and appropriate infection control, people also died due to lack of information and early access to expert advice. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought in its wake a new set of challenges at a scale not encountered in any of the previous pandemics: the problem of information overload and infodemic. A large part of the world population is in lockdown and isolation. Many are suffering from boredom and excessive time with nothing to do. Social and electronic media for man is the only source of information and entertainment. Globally, COVID-19 news is dominating both these platforms since Jan 2020. Although the availability of such platforms has resulted in sharing of useful information, valuable disease related data, making people aware of prevention strategies and the value of social distancing, at the same time massive and repeated sharing of unauthenticated and sometimes dangerously incorrect information has had very negative consequences. People have died as a result of misinformation (for example, in Iran from the consumption of large amounts of alcohol, and in the USA by taking antimalarials for disease prophylaxis).3,4 Others (mainly Asians and Africans) have faced increased COVID-19 related discrimination and racism.5 There are reports of panic-buying and stock piling of essentials all around the world,6 even of physicians hoarding experimental COVID-19 drugs for relatives.7
WHO has documented and rejected most of the conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and falsehoods regarding COVID-19 circulating on social media. These include exaggerated claims about the number of cases and deaths, conspiracy theories about the origin and spread of COVID-19 and fake claims of cure.8 Information overload and infodemic is a potentially dangerous trend which needs attention by stakeholders including governments, policy makers, healthcare professionals and the general public.
How to Avoid Information Overload and Infodemic
During this pandemic each member of a social media website or messaging application (for example, WhatsApp) has a moral responsibly to be more vigilant and careful while sharing any COVID-19 related news. Considering the current environment in Pakistan we suggest the following general measures, although we believe that these are also applicable in different settings worldwide:
1. Instead of randomly searching the internet for COVID-19 related news which may result in confusion, disappointment and frustration, only visit authentic and official websites. Table-1 has a list of some trusted national and international organisations working on COVID-19.
2. WHO has partnered with WhatsApp to disseminate correct and up-to-date information on COVID-19 for the general public, which includes information on the number of cases, debunking different myths about COVID-19, travel advisory and advice for protection.9 This free service can be availed by sending a "hi' message to +41 79 475 22 09.
3. Do not keep a daily count of the national and global cases of COVID-19 and refrain from regularly sharing such information on Facebook pages or WhatsApp groups. In addition, reading about infection and death rates regularly can adversely affect morale and mental health during this time of lockdown and isolation.
4. If a COVID-19 report or news item appears suspicious, try to verify it on one of the many fact checking websites dedicated to debunking myths and clarify hoaxes or use the WHO website on debunking COVID-19 myths.8,10
5. Do not believe and share the claims of miracle cures and homemade remedies for prevention and management of COVID-19. At present, there is no effective vaccine, or any particular class of medication recommended for prophylaxis.8 If the treatment of COVID-19 was so simple, then billions would not have been locked down in their homes and thousands would not have died.
6. If you are a physician or healthcare professional, then do not forward 20-page PDF files and 50-slide PowerPoint Presentations to all of your contacts/groups. In all probability, no one has the time and energy to read this kind of diverse COVID-19-related scientific information on a daily basis.
7. Avoid inflammatory or racist posts targeting a particular group of people or professionals. This is a time for unity and a collective response.
8. Instead of further adding to the growing volume of misinformation on COVID-19, show gratitude to the healthcare workers who are at the forefront of responding to this pandemic. #ThanksHealthHeroes is one of the hashtags commonly used on different social media platforms.
9. There are many amazing stories of service and sacrifice by different groups of people and individuals in this pandemic which usually are not highlighted in the mainstream media.10,11 There is a need to share these stories more in order to boost morale and show the positive side of the humanity at large.
10. Reduce time spent on reading COVID-19 related news. WHO recommends minimising watching, reading or listening to news about COVID-19 that causes one to feel anxious or distressed. WHO also recommends that one should seek COVID-19 related information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice only.12
Acknowledgement: The authors gratefully acknowledge the critical review of manuscript by Colleen O’Connell, MD FRCPC, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Chief, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation Assistant Prof. Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Fredericton, CANADA.
References
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