Thread by @AbraarKaran

1/ Lots of misinformation about #coronavirus. What can we do?

First, if you’re a general #globalhealth person, make it clear to your followers that this doesn’t make you a #coronavirus expert!

I’ll start. I don’t know much about this disease.

2/ So then what? Turn to credible resources. @nejm published a paper yesterday on the epidemiological characteristics of the #coronavirus. Go read it! Try to understand what is being said. Look at the data yourself.

3/ @TheLancet today published a series of 99 patients w/ #coronavirus - go look at the characteristics of the patients; of the presenting symptoms; of the outcomes. The data is right there. It’s unfolding quickly but many journals have made it public!

thelancet.com/journals/lance…

4/ Be weary of media headlines that are scare-mongering. Newspapers are businesses. They want to inform you, but they also want you to click their articles. The more they can scare you, the more they can control you. Be smart. Think clearly. Ask who is writing the piece and why.

5/ Question people who are self-proclaimed #coronavirus experts all of a sudden. Look to those who were already studying these viruses before this became a pandemic. And those who know pandemics and have worked on the ground. They are the voices that we need to be amplifying.

6/ They may not always be the loudest voices often bc they are busy doing the work rather than out here self-promoting or fanning the flames of panic to gain more followers etc. This is a time when we need the real-deals to step up & lead. The misinformation is rampant /dangerous

Cc @DenisonLab @Baric_Lab @LiWu_UIowa @RanuDhillon @IngridKatzMD @maiamajumder @DrMikeRyan @seyeabimbola @ashishkjha @JoyAgnost @DrTedros @marciacastrorj @RifatAtun @ReganHMarsh @BhadeliaMD @paimadhu @PeterHotez @cbpolis @aetiology

7/ And let me put some teeth to my words. If you’re someone who really knows your shit about #coronavirus, reply to me. I don’t have the most followers but I’ll do my part to retweet you and get you out there. We need it. I urge my other friends in #globalhealth to do the same.

Cc @thehowie @gregggonsalves @AaronLBerkowitz @s_keshavjee @MartenRobert @PaulSaxMD @T_Inglesby @PeterDrobac @richardhorton1 @muhammadpate @arielle_wilder @Dr_Le_UCSF @NourSharara @LawrenceGostin @SalahiLara @klgthomas @JunaidNabiMD @JoiaMukherjee

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