Thread by @CPHO_Canada

1/9 #COVID19 key concerns in 🇨🇦: Today, in lieu of a daily in-person update to the media, I have issued a statement you can read in full here: canada.ca/en/public-heal…

2/9 My statement discusses the issue of misinformation, which is the unintentional sharing of false or misleading information. There is no place for misinformation on any day, least so during a crisis on the scale of #COVID19.

3/9 We need to learn to spot & stop misinformation, which detracts from progress & causes real harm. During #COVID19, it is like dealing with two epidemics spreading, the disease & misinformation about the disease. #infodemic #StoptheSpread

4/9 Although well-intentioned people may share misinformation that they BELIEVE to be true, the source can often be traced back to a deliberate fabrication. #COVID19 #misinformation #infodemic

5/9 Deliberate creation of false or misleading information is called disinformation. Sources of disinformation can range from “robots” or “bots” that are set up to blast out mass communications to people with an agenda. #misinformation

6/9 People or groups running organised campaigns may share false information using sophisticated marketing for political, money generating or other less-than-admirable reasons. #disinformation #infodemic

7/9 It may be difficult to stop all disinformation from reaching us given the systematic and highly convincing ways it reaches our screens and devices but WE CAN PLAY A PART IN STOPPING IT from spreading to others.

8/9 When you see something and share it with friends, neighbours, colleagues or acquaintances, you are giving it a stamp of approval and increasing the credibility of the information. #checkthenshare

9/9 The trust your contacts have in you can make disinformation seem more authentic & believable. Instead:
- Share credible information/sites like Canada.ca/coronavirus
- Report & warn others if you see #disinformation.
- Learn more from sites like checkthenshare.ca