One example of addressing information confusion is the question of masks. Each of the myths is debunked through a helpful graphic with a clear statement of facts. The World Health Organization (WHO) has complied a page of myth busting questions and answers that would be a great place to start for libraries looking to address disinformation.
As with diseases of the body, the mind can be inoculated against disinformation through early and repeated introduction of facts. As noted in an article from Stanford from Oct, 2019, models for tracking the spread of disinformation were models using viral infection methodologies. Ironically, the spread of information and disinformation is quite similar to the spread of the virus being discussed in this situation. This role is highlighted in the ALA Pandemic Preparedness site alongside other NPIs. Libraries can help fill the void as trusted sources of information as well as a shield against misinformation.
This leaves citizens unsure of where to turn and what news to trust. An underlying theme to much of the online discussion about COVID-19 as seen on sites like Reddit is that governments are incompetently responding to the outbreak. One of the biggest roles that libraries can fill in the national response to COVID-19 is that of information literacy specialists. Watch the Webinar on March 26th from Libraries 2.0. One that libraries are uniquely poised to support. These conspiracy theories need a NPI as well. Other sides suggest cures or preventative measures that have no medical support or that misinterpret studies. For example, it has been proposed on some websites that the Coronavirus is a hoax, nothing more than the common cold or flu being elevated for political purposes. NewsGuard has compiled a list of sources that have advanced inaccurate information. So when people talk about COVID-19 being similar to the flu, it is certainly true in terms of current best responses.Ĭomparisons between COVID-19 and the flu have gone beyond hand washing and entered the zone of conspiracy theories and misinformation. On a personal level they include proper hand washing and maintaining social distancing. NPIs for COVID-19 are quite similar to those for other viral diseases like the flu. There are posters and other educational materials available on the CDC website. With no current vaccine or approved medications, the best approach the CDC recommends at this time is a broad spectrum of what are called nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). It really is a pity that we wasted the efficacy of the “Keep Calm and…” posters because that would be a perfect image for libraries to post right now. Of course, the overall message to citizens so far has remained the same. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) summary on COVID-19 is being updated constantly ( get the website badge), and the National Library Of Medicine has this great page for resource tools for libraries. Information Literacy as a Nonpharmaceutical Intervention If you do, you will end up with a fully developed one-page preparation plan for your organization. We do recommend that you complete the freely available National Library of Medicine online course In Case of Emergencies: Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning. The biggest role libraries can play in a national response to the emerging COVID-19 threat is as information specialists. Most of the attention, has gone to natural, weather, and human disasters as opposed to widespread disease outbreaks but the National Library of Medicine has a great Coronavirus resource page available to librarians as well. Since being designated as essential disaster services, libraries have focused on the roles that we can serve during emergencies. Dealing with COVID-19, the disease caused by the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) raises many questions for librarians.
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