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THE WORLD HEALTH Organization has partnered with WhatsApp to offer people a direct messaging service about the coronavirus pandemic.
To sign up to the service, click on this link, which will bring you to WhatsApp.
To trigger a conversation, you type ‘hi’ and an automated menu will appear that will give you an option of topics to request the latest official information from the WHO.
This menu includes the latest figures on cases, advice on how to protect yourself, frequently asked questions, mythbusters, travel advice, news and press, and a donate button.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO said on Twitter: “I am proud to announce that today we launched a new WHO Health Alert messaging service via WhatsApp.
This service will provide the latest news & information on Covid-19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself.
WhatsApp said on Twitter said that “it’s an honour to work with WHO to provide this simple service to get the latest information directly from the experts right on WhatsApp”.
“Share these tips and de-bunked rumours with your friends and family,” it said.
There have been a number of false rumours and misinformation spread amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of which spread on the messaging service WhatsApp.
In Ireland, the rumours varied from a ‘Status Red’ military lockdown was to be imposed last week, fake and dangerous messages which claim to prevent or cure the new virus, and messages that claim to be from healthcare professionals or hospitals.
TheJournal.ie has been debunking and FactChecking these messages, the results of which you can find here.
***
Have you gotten a message on WhatsApp or Facebook or Twitter about coronavirus that you’re not sure about and want us to check it out? Message or mail us and we’ll look into debunking it. WhatsApp: 085 221 4696 or Email: answers@thejournal.ie
***
STOP, THINK AND CHECK
Look at where it’s coming from. Is it someone you know? Do they have a source for the information (e.g. the HSE website) or are they just saying that the information comes from someone they know? A lot of the false news being spread right now is from people claiming that messages are from ‘a friend’ of theirs. Have a look yourself – do a quick Google search and see if the information is being reported elsewhere.
Secondly, get the whole story, not just a headline. A lot of these messages have got vague information (“all the doctors at this hospital are panicking”) and don’t mention specific details. This is often – but not always a sign – that it may not be accurate.
Finally, see how you feel after reading it. A lot of these false messages are designed to make people feel panicked. They’re deliberately manipulating your feelings to make you more likely to share it. If you feel panicked after reading something, check it out and see if it really is true.
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The link isn’t working for me
@FrontSeatDriver: tis for me
@Sean Ryan: on android if that matters
@Sean Ryan: not working
@Sean Ryan: got it through WHO website. Cheers
@Sean Ryan: working fine on iOS
@FrontSeatDriver: me neither. When you get the error message, click the three dots on the top right of the screen and open in browser. This should work.
@Darren Doyle McCormack: brilliant thanks that worked for me
@FrontSeatDriver: not working for me either.. ( on android)
@Briain O’Dochartaigh: go to WHO website. The link there works
@FrontSeatDriver:
@kehe: kehe and Darren Coyle, thanks very much.
The link isn’t working for me
@Sean O’Kelly: you have to open it in a browser, not from the journal.ie app.
Click the three dots in the upper right corner after you get the error. Then open in a browser.
Interesting backstory to the current director general of WHO, Tedros was investigated on 3 separate occasions for the cover up of cholera outbreaks in his native Ethiopia, and now he finds himself at the head of the organisation the world governing bodies are taking advise from .
@Dannys Dentures:
Per Wikipedia….
The allegations were made by an advisor to his main rival just before the WHO election and were dismissed as unfounded by the African Union.
Also, what is your source for 3 separate investigations?
@gags: he probably read it in a whatsapp message.
@gags: FYI
Anyone can write content for Wikipedia
@gags: Wikipedia? Seriously?
@Will: Danny’s link says it was an advisor to a rival that made the accusation. No investigation by the looks of it.
@Dannys Dentures: the article you reference says he was accused once of covering up 3 outbreaks of cholera. He was not investigated. The article goes on to state he was widely praised for reforming his countries health system. You’re a liar.
@Dannys Dentures: the article you reference says he was accused once of covering up 3 outbreaks of cholera. He was not investigated. The article goes on to state he was widely praised for reforming his countries health system. Stop the lies.
Its working fine. Useful
Not working for me.
@kehe: Thanks for all your efforts.
I’m a little baffled. The Uk has 13 times the population in Ireland. But, their fatality rate is 60 times higher (177), while their infection rate (4k) is only 5 times that of Ireland (approx 800)…..Baffling!
@Damian Moylan: it’s not baffling, it’s likely because they are only testing people who have more severe symptoms. It’s a ticking time bomb
@Motherofthree: Agree, the only logical answer is that the reported infection rate (4k) in the Uk is much much lower than the actual number…
@Damian Moylan: the likely hood is that the figure of cases being reported is a fraction of the amount of people that have it.
Link doesnt work
Great
Or people could not pay attention to me mammy’s friends brothers cat was reading that…. WhatsApp and Facebook posts.
@Sea Graham: I think people like to pass those things on no matter what.
i hope china will be billed for for all this when its all over
@FIE: and somehow you get two thumbs up.
@FIE: Don’t blame others for your own incompetence.
Got it. Great work
For info: after you “click on this link” it brings you to the WHO page with the Journal.ie heading still on top. On the top right click the 3 dots and it then says “Open in Browser”, do this and it brings you to the official WHO page. Scroll down and “Click on this link” again and say hi which then opens up the WhatsApp page and you’re now part of it. Hope you find this helpful. Stay safe!
Now can people stop spreading crap from Facebook.
The journal.ie, the WHO and the link for the new app are not working for me. Please debunk this information, if you can, ASAP.
@JR Lewis: there are 2 links above to help…
have your say