How Can Social Media Help Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic?
The world is facing an unprecedented crisis that none of us have ever experienced before. The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed our lives, and no one can even predict when the crisis will be over.But let’s not go over the COVID-19 details, as you probably know all about the virus and its impact by now. You’re (hopefully) fully aware of how dire the situation is and what you can do to stay safe.
Let’s talk about what’s happening on social media when it comes to the virus and how social platforms can help combat the crisis.
Informing the Public About Safety Tips
Helping the public learn everything there is to know about the novel coronavirus is perhaps the greatest benefit of social media during this difficult time.
News on social media always spreads like wildfire, which is particularly beneficial now. Your newsfeed on every platform is probably swamped with information about COVID-19.
That’s how many people heard about the virus for the first time and learned about the symptoms and safety measures.
And that’s how we’re all constantly reminded about the crucial importance of basic hygiene and social distancing.
What’s great about social media right now is all the celebrities sharing their personal coronavirus experiences with the world.Many people trust those public figures more than their government and anyone else urging them to take the necessary precautions.
So, when influencers speak up and urge people to take it seriously, sharing powerful messages on their social profiles, more people tend to listen.
Preventing the Spreading of Misinformation
“We’re fighting an infodemic,” as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said at the Munich Security Conference in February.
As much as social media can help by spreading relevant COVID-19 information about safety, they’re also not immune to fake news. There are various conspiracy theories, false claims, and lies meant to spread panic.
Luckily, all the major social platforms around the world have joined forces with the WHO to prevent misinformation and keep the public safe and healthy.
They’re using advanced algorithms to filter the news and make sure there’s only fact-checked, reliable, and trustworthy information online.Without social media, it would be nearly impossible to do so, let alone find out who’s spreading fake news.
Organizing Important Fundraisers
Just like it usually happens with any major crisis, social media helps people unite and fight together.
More and more fundraisers are being organized to help those in need. People are helping hospitals struggling to tend to all their patients by providing funds for the necessary personal protective equipment and medication.
They’re also helping individuals who lost their jobs, local businesses that can’t afford paying their employees while their doors are shut, and the elderly who can’t leave their homes to buy groceries.
And it’s all being organized on social media, encouraging anyone who can lend a helping hand.
Enabling Scientists from All Over the World to Collaborate
Social media tools are ideal for collaboration, and scientists all over the globe are utilizing them as we speak.
Researchers are communicating like never before via social media to try and develop a coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.It’s a new culture of doing research, enabling thousands of scientists to work together to come up with an effective solution.
What’s more, they’re openly publishing all their findings online, enabling anyone to access them for free and pitch in with any ideas. With the help of social media, they share the studies at a lightning-fast pace.
Helping People Stay Positive During a Difficult Time
Social channels help us stay connected, as they always have. They help us provide and receive the support we need during this trying time, reminding us that we’re all in this together.
But apart from overwhelming support for those struggling with quarantine and isolation, and those dealing with loss and grief, social media is still here to help us stay positive.
It makes us laugh, stay optimistic, and push through the crisis just a little bit easier.
Keeping Engagement High
We all need something to keep our minds busy in quarantine. Social networks can help us achieve that and feel less isolated, as their primary purpose has always been connecting people.
Many brands are leveraging through interactive polls, surveys, and quizzes. Those content types can be excellent for keeping engagement high and still providing seamless customer experiences.
Perhaps it’s not all business as usual, but consumers still want to stay connected to their favorite brands. And quizzes, in particular, help them have more fun in their free time.
They’re also great for spreading relevant COVID-19 information on social networks, especially since lead quizzes have a viral potential.
That’s why we’re seeing numerous brands increasingly utilizing quiz generator tools. They’re not merely looking to create an online quiz to get leads. They want to help people both pass the time and learn more about the virus and how to stay safe.
We’re yet to witness and fully understand the role of social platforms in combating the coronavirus pandemic, but we can safely say their role is huge. They influence our response to the outbreak, helping us stay safe and united.
Author Bio:Angela White is an ed-tech enthusiast with a passion for writing for the consumer market in the areas of product research and marketing using quizzes and surveys. Having a knack for writing and an editorial mindset, she is an expert researcher at a brand that’s known for creating delightfully smart tools such as ProProfs Quiz Maker.