Avoid Fake News, Turn To This List Of Credible Sources For Updates On Coronavirus

In this time and day of uncertainty and health scares, the least we need is more fear coming from unreliable sources. Check out our list to keep you informed and updated, minus the fake news.

Kate Paras-Santiago

January 29, 2020, 01:50 PM

As of publishing time, the new novel Coronavirus that started 2020 on the wrong foot has affected 5,974 people in the China mainland alone, exceeding the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003.

To say that people are frightened is an understatement. Pharmacies have sold out on masks of all kinds, frequent hand washing is of utmost priority, and staying away from any sort of flu-like symptoms has never been more crucial. Apart from this, the need to stay updated and informed is vital in managing such a health crisis, but oftentimes, the Internet can be brutal in spreading fake news.

We're pretty sure that at some point in the past weeks, you may have already received forwarded messages on your social media chat groups, broadcasting unofficial news about the feared Coronavirus. Some have gone so far as to say certain clinics in Manila are hiding infected patients, spreading panic and even more fear.

While it is advised that we stay vigilant, adding more unnecessary information and unreliable news can do more harm than good. Sticking to the official, credible news sources and government outlets is what we should be turning our attention to. Let go of any sketchy-looking Facebook pages or websites that only seek to have you open clickbait-type articles and focus on the legitimate ones instead. Ahead, a list of our go-to sites and accounts to keep handy during times of health crisis like this:

China Reuters

1. The Department of Health

Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov

Official Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dohgov

Official Coronavirus-dedicated website: https://tinyurl.com/tz9sc68

Official DOH Facebook

2. ABS-CBN News

Official Website: https://news.abs-cbn.com/

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abscbnnews/

@abscbnnews

3. ANC

Official website: https://news.abs-cbn.com/anc

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/ANCALERTS

4. BBC News

Official website: https://www.bbc.com/news

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcnews/

View this post on Instagram

Residents in Wuhan, China are shouting encouragement and singing songs from their apartment windows to boost morale amidst the coronavirus quarantine. 🔉 Wuhan is the centre of the deadly outbreak, and all 11 million residents have been advised to stay at home. Click the link in the bio to find out more. 👆 #china #coronavirus #wuhan #bbcnews

A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) on Jan 28, 2020 at 12:47pm PST