Are COVID19 health advisories found online harmful or helpful?

As more people try to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy during the COVID19 pandemic, trustworthy health advice can be easily found online.

However, there are also many bogus advice that claim to be effective in reducing the chances of getting infected with the virus.

Buzzfeed reporter Jane Lytvynenko, who specialises in tackling online misinformation, highlighted that people have been spreading false cures and testing methods. There are also products being marketed to cure and prevent COVID19.

Some examples she founded include companies that offer products such as essential oils and teas that claim to be remedies for COVID19. Some have also been selling immunity boosting products, such as Vitamin C and zinc. Although it is true that these products can boost the immune system, some of the marketing messages imply that they can prevent the spread of the virus.

“This problem is so bad that various US officials have been sending notices to anyone that sells false cures,” said Ms. Lytvynenko.

“It’s easy for people to fall for this because they are looking for any sense of security during this time of anxiety,” she added.

A message circulating from the Philippines advises users to “keep their throats moist”, avoid spicy food and load up on vitamin C to prevent getting infected from virus. Facebook, who now flags accounts that give accurate information on COVID19, has since highlighted this post as a hoax.

A false health advisory claiming that drinking vitamin C and eating less fried food can prevent COVID19. The user also claimed that he got his information from the Philippines' health ministry, which is not true.

Some people have even resorted to creating their own healthcare products, such as using vodka to make hand sanitiser. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, an US based vodka company, tweeted that hand sanitiser needs to contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Their vodka, which contains 40% alcohol, will not be enough to kill viruses.

Tito's, a vodka company, had to clarify that their products do not make effective hand sanitiser.

How do we get accurate health advice online?

The best bet is to always refer to the World Health Organisation or your countries’ centre for disease control for official health advice. Washing your hands, not touching your face, maintaining distance and avoiding suspected people are just some of the ways recommended by the WHO to keep yourself safe from the virus.

It is also good to monitor your respective countries’ health ministry for official advice, as advice may differ geographically. Cross-checking health advice with different reliable organisations is also wise, according to Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, a clinical professor of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong.

“You don’t necessarily have to be an expert, “ he said. “If you are cautious enough and you have access to [different websites], then you can compare data from various sources from various authorities,” he said.

International organisations such as the WHO, are constantly updating their information on the pandemic. For example, as of early April, the WHO has also changed their stance about face masks. It was initially not recommended for healthy people to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID19, but now face masks can be a reliable method to stop the community spread. This had led to countries like Singapore reversing their stance towards masks, where they initially advised people who are not sick not to wear masks.

Multimedia reporter Heaven Taylor-Wynn from Mediawise, a fact-checking organisation aimed at teenagers from the Poynter institute, advises to keep a lookout of organisations changing health advice.

“It’s tricky, but information is changing everyday. Always look for the most up to date information and check the date,” she said. “That’s all we can do because we’re not public health experts, but they know the best they can.”