[ti:How to Deal with Coronavirus (Mis)Information Overload] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]Information about the coronavirus seems to spread as fast as the virus itself. [00:07.44]Sometimes it is just too much information—an overload. [00:14.04]Some people even spread misinformation on purpose. [00:19.40]How can you separate what is true, and what is not? [00:24.88]Along with facts about the new coronavirus, untrue rumors are spreading through phone texts, social media and other places. [00:37.12]For example, in the United States a rumor has been spreading that officials plan to order a nationwide lockdown. [00:47.20]Not true. [00:49.60]Another rumor claims that people can get tested for the virus by donating their blood. [00:57.32]And the U.S. government has sent warning letters to several companies selling products [01:03.92]that they claim will cure COVID-19 or protect against the virus. [01:11.80]Such false stories can endanger public health and create fear. [01:19.16]COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus. [01:24.24]Thousands across the world have been affected by it. [01:29.76]In most infected people, COVID-19 produces minor or moderate effects, [01:36.44]like an increased temperature and dry cough. [01:41.56]Some people might also experience tiredness and pain. [01:48.12]Most people recover from the sickness within two weeks. [01:52.44]But, for older adults and people with other health problems, the disease can be severe, sometimes even deadly. [02:03.48]How can you separate fact from fiction? [02:06.56]How can you know what is true and what is false? [02:11.16]Here are some ways: [02:14.68]Human nature makes us more likely to believe things our friends tell us. [02:20.16]It is why rumors spread and why misinformation travels on social media. [02:27.80]Everyone says they heard it from a friend of a friend, "who knows someone who knows" about an issue. [02:36.04]Be suspicious of important-sounding information if it does not come from a respected source connected to the issue. [02:45.56]Usually dependable sources include government agencies and health departments. [02:52.60]Other organizations to trust include national and international public health institutes such as the World Health Organization. [03:02.68]Some of the most trusted sources of information include research hospitals [03:08.44]and public health centers in the United States and other countries, along with the World Health Organization. [03:17.48]They provide the latest numbers, advisories and guides on everything [03:23.56]from how to clean your home to remove the virus and how to deal with stress the pandemic is causing. [03:31.88]Dr. Jessica Justman is an infectious disease expert at Columbia University. [03:38.68]She said just the large amount of information online can be complexing. [03:45.76]"It's not just misinformation, it's also a lack of good information," Justman said. [03:52.52]"Go straight to the source. The CDC has been putting out great information." [04:00.00]John Silva is director of education at the News Literacy Project, a non-profit group in Washington D.C. [04:09.68]He says anyone searching for true information needs to act a little like a reporter by investigating suspect claims. [04:19.16]Be careful of information from unknown or little-known groups or news organizations. [04:27.64]Also, remember there is a difference between news stories and opinion pieces [04:33.84]but both should be supported by evidence or expertise to be dependable. [04:40.88]A 2018 Twitter study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers [04:46.72]found that false news travels faster than real news — often much faster. [04:53.84]That is because these stories often use language designed to create strong emotional reaction. [05:02.20]The stories seek to connect with public fears or anger. [05:08.56]The researchers also found that misinformation spreads quickly [05:13.28]because people retweet stories based on headlines. [05:18.08]So read the whole story, investigate the source and consider carefully [05:24.16]before reposting to prevent the spread of false information. [05:30.04]Pictures are said to be worth a thousand words. [05:33.96]But, even photographs and videos can be edited and changed. [05:40.60]Even untouched images can be false. [05:44.40]For example, old images can be presented as new. [05:50.24]Again, it helps to look for the source. [05:54.56]Google's reverse image search can help find where a photo came from. [06:00.88]For videos, investigate the post source - was it a traditional news organization? The WHO? A university? [06:11.84]Dr. Ruth Parker is a physician at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. [06:19.76]She said Americans must be responsible in spreading information. [06:26.72]"It's a scary time," Parker said. "We don't want to add fuel to the fire. [06:33.08]Good information won't cure us, but it will help to calm us." [06:39.28]I'm Jonathan Evans. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM