An increasing amount of disinformation about the novel coronavirus on social media has Niagara Regional Public Health fighting back using the #TakeCareBeforeYouShare.
In a tweet, the unit writes , "There's lots of misinformation about COVID-19 circulating online. This leads to unnecessary worry and panic which can be harmful.
Before you read and share info, pause and make sure it's from reliable sources."
Public Health says you should consider the 5 W's before you share:
Who made it?
What is the source of the information?
Where did it come from?
Why are you sharing this?
When was it published?
This comes in the wake of a disinformation video that was widely shared on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube before it was taken down on Monday.
President Trump also shared the video by a group calling themselves "America's Frontline Doctors."
In it a doctor, who works at a hospital in Houston, makes false claims that no one needs to wear a mask and that hydroxychloroquine, an anti- malaria drug, can cure COVID 19.