Executive Summary

In this piece, we examined 203 coronavirus-related fact-checks published by Dubawa and Africa Check since the outbreak of the pandemic. Our analysis was limited to fact-checks focusing on Nigeria and general misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of claims in the analysed fact-checks centre on potential COVID-19 treatments and cures. Remarkably, government entities comprising the institution, its officials, and agencies were mostly targets of debunked claims in the study. While we cannot conclude, based on our findings here, that donor funding may have some influence on the fact-checking process, we found that fact-checks with potential interest to two major funders of fact-checking organisations, Facebook and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation were significantly higher than others within the entire family of fact-checking organisations. 

Introduction

The advent of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, brought with it an unprecedented era of information disorder. From conspiracy theories regarding the origin of the coronavirus to several unfounded and unverified myths regarding treatment options and preventive practices, the world witnessed an enormous flood of misinformation, making it impossible for many to understand what is real and what is not. The information disorder is being spread by people across various demographics from world leaders, to religious leaders, traditional leaders, key government functionaries, and  private citizens.

Information disorder around the pandemic is well-established, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) describing the situation as an infodemic, “an over-abundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.” Over 100 fact-checkers around the globe under the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance have been at the forefront of countering this misinformation, often creating a reference link for all covid-19 related fact-checks on their websites. As at 30^th September, 2020, they have collectively published over 7,000 fact-checks in more than 70 countries in over 40 different languages.

Several social media platforms rose to the challenge, devising various means to track and dispel misinformation around the pandemic. Facebook, for instance, has a partnership with several fact-checking organisations to combat the spread of the pandemic. This is in addition to its policy of keeping its subscribers updated on fact-checks on information they have previously shared.  Oftentimes, several posts are taken down and blocked from spreading further. Global and local health agencies such as the WHO and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are exploring online and other social media platforms to provide “evidenced-based information” to the general public. They are also collaborating with fact-checkers to debunk false claims and curb the spread of misinformation around the pandemic.

In this analysis, we examine fact-checks on two leading fact-checking organisations in Nigeria, Dubawa and Africa Check. The NCDC is in partnership with the two organisations to continuously track and promptly debunk “coronavirus-related misinformation, disinformation and mal-information to limit the spread “of false information around coronavirus in Nigeria”.  The essence was to examine the nature of COVID-19 misinformation popularly spread among Nigerians.

 Method

We employed content analysis research method to conduct the study, using a pre-established coding guide to gather required data. We explored the Dubawa and Africa Check websites for coronavirus-related fact-checks, with both having dedicated sections for coronavirus fact-checks on their respective pages.  

From the coronavirus page on Dubawa, we extracted all 99 stories published on its page. Of these, 3 articles unrelated to the pandemic were eliminated from the study. General covid-19 misinformation media literacy articles and Dubawa’s bi-monthly newsletters were delisted to limit our analysis to core fact-checks. We also eliminated stories making reference to other African countries to limit the analysis only to fact-checks with specific reference to Nigeria and general COVID-19 misinformation which may likely trend locally. In all, we analysed 64 core covid-19-related fact-checks on Dubawa.

Africa Check also has a dedicated coronavirus page. It grouped its fact-checks into six categories with the number of fact-checks in each group indicated in a bracket. The six categories are: Cures and prevention (49), Hoaxes, half-truths and scams (88), Manipulated or out of context videos, images and articles (76), Conspiracy theories, origins and predictions (10), The odd and the bizarre (10), Things that are actually true (but you thought they weren’t) (35).   The page also included two other links – Audio and podcasts (31), On Air: Webinars & media appearances by our staff (23) – for other related contents. A total of 268 (49 + 88 + 76 + 10 +10 + 35 = 268) fact-checks are available across the 6 categories. We examined all 268 fact-checks and eliminated stories focusing on other Africa countries. All stories making reference to virality of contents, or mentioning officials in specific African countries than Nigeria were delisted and excluded from analysis. Fact-Checks on Madagascar were however included in the study owing to the popularity of its highly promoted covid herbal mixture. In all, 139 fact-checks were analysed on Africa Check for this analysis.

Hence, we analysed 203 coronavirus-related fact-checks on claims likely to have spread among Nigerians. The coding guide was the research instrument used to gather data for the study. A pilot study was conducted to test the instrument which was also subject to inter-coder reliability using two coders. The variables examined are misinformation source, content fact-checked, verdict of fact-checks, issue focus, fact-checking tool(s), and target entity of fact-checked claims. The study period covers from the inception of the pandemic with earliest fact-checks published in February, 2020 to September 30, 2020.

Results

The first variable examined is the month of publication of the analysed fact-checks. Majority of the fact-checks were published in March and April, the months following the first recorded case of coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa. Almost half of the analysed fact-checks {45 in April (24.1%) and 49 in March (22.2%)} were published during this period. Africa Check had its highest fact-checks in April while Dubawa had its own in March. Thereafter, there was a gradual decline in the fact-checks, but with some form of consistency between June and July. By the end of the study period, September, published fact-checks had dropped to a mere 2% (n=4).  It is observed that Dubawa published a number of coronavirus-related articles but they are mostly media literacy articles clarifying issues of concern to consumers of media products. These were excluded from our analysis which simply focus on fact-checks.

We examined sources of the claims fact-checked. The identified sources here describe where the information was found and sometimes also publicly shared. Facebook led the list of sources with about 46% of total sources identified in the study. This excludes claims notably found/shared on more than one platform noted here as “across social media platforms”. Several claims were notably shared on “Facebook and WhatsApp” mostly on Africa Check. These were all recorded as “across social media platforms”. This might have also influenced the low frequency of claims fact-checked on WhatsApp in Africa Check. Dubawa however fact-checked its highest claims from WhatsApp followed by Facebook and Blog sites. News media were the least reported as sources of fact-checked claims. Fact-checks on news media reports focused on media coverage of issues as well as direct coverage of public officers’ speeches at public events.

Africa Check’s increased fact-checks on claims on Facebook might have been influenced by the organisation’s collaboration with the tech giant to limit the spread of false information. Africa Check has a public disclosure on this partnership which it includes at the end of its fact-checks. However, the organisation has claims it is striving “to ensure no donor has a controlling influence.”  

Alternatively, the high fact-checking of claims of facebook might simply be as a result of its ubiquity among social media subscribers. As at the end of 2019, Facebook active subscribers in Nigeria are estimated to be over 27 million. Hence, it might be logical to assume that there will be more information and misinformation being shared on Facebook than on other platforms. Facebook and WhatsApp are reportedly the most common social media platforms in Nigeria. According to this survey, over 80% of respondents confirmed using each of Facebook and WhatsApp. This is in contrast to only 19% and 11% who confirmed using Instagram and WhatsApp respectively.

Claims in the fact-checks were reportedly presented as text, images/graphics, video and audio. Coding into text and images/graphics was tricky as the categorisation can sometimes be blurred. To address this ambiguity, we focused on the part of the content where the claim is made.  We also relied on the description of the content as specified in the fact-check. Pictures, images, infographics, screenshots, pictures with embedded texts, and similar contents were coded as image/graphics since they are often presented as images and shared as such.

Majority of the fact-checked contents (61%; n=124) were thus categorised as text. This was followed by those categorised as images/graphics (24%; n=48) which accounted for about a quarter. Video (13%; n=27) and audio were the least with audio recordings only accounting for 2% (n=4) of the analysed fact-checks. The two organisations, Dubawa and Africa Check recorded similar patterns in contents in their analysed fact-checks.

Fact-checks often include verdicts (ratings) of fact-checkers on fact-checked claims. In this analysis, we found slight variations in the verdicts issued by each organisation. Dubawa appears more consistent with its regular use of True, False, Misleading, in its fact-checks. These are all within its published rating system. 

Africa Check was, however, inconsistent as it regularly used False, Fake, Incorrect, on claims verified to be false with no identified distinctions in the use of these terms to describe false contents. Its published rating system included “incorrect”, but not “False” or “Fake” which were regularly used to rate several of the debunked fact-checks. Other claims are rated: Correct, Misleading, or Checked. Occasionally, both Dubawa and Africa Check declined giving any verdict in their fact-checks despite taking a stance in the body of the fact-check.  

Over 80% (80.3%, n=163) of the analysed fact-checks were rated false and were grouped as Incorrect / False / Fake to integrate the ratings by both organisations. This was distantly followed by those rated as Correct / True (9%, n=18), and Misleading with 8% (n=17). Dubawa had two fact-checks rated Mostly False, Each of them was written on multiple claims and was rated as such because most of the claims were found to be false while others may be true or lack evidence for a logical conclusion. The fact-checks coded Insufficient Evidence were so rated by the organisations or concluded as such by the researcher where a fact-check has no rating but its contents make such suggestions. The high frequency of false claims might thus suggest that suspicious claims often turn out to be false, with obvious exceptions.

Fact-checks on the pandemic have debunked a wide range of claims since the outbreak. The global #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance has documented 26 clusters of misinformation in its waves of hoaxes around the pandemic. In this analysis, we identified 11 broad themes in the analysed fact checks. These include cure and prevention myth; official policies or pronouncements of governments or organisations; issues relating to COVID-19 funding, palliatives and freebies for the general public; prevention myth focusing on potential practices or behaviour to prevent individuals from being infected with the virus; issues around testing capability, testing data and status of individuals; coronavirus-related or speculated deaths; number of cases; origin of the virus; risk factors, transmission myth on spread of the virus; copying myth describing specific behaviours necessitated by the reality of the pandemic; among few others.

Fact-checks around issues related to treatment and cure for the virus had the highest coverage accounting for nearly a quarter (23.2%, n=46) of the 198 issue-based fact-checks identified in the study. Issues of official policies and pronouncements; funding, palliatives and freebies; and prevention myths followed in close proportions. Fact-checks on transmission and copying myths, among others, were the least recorded categories.

Apart from specific issues identified above, we also examined identified entities that were the target of misinformation in the analysed fact-checks.  This was limited to 100 of the debunked fact-checks rated false among the analysed lot. Federal government, its officials and agencies and foreign governments and their officials each gulped almost a quarter of the identified entities in the relevant fact-checks. Claims targeting the federal government included key government officials falsely attributed to specific claims. The increased targets on foreign government and their officials were populated by false claims targeted at President Donald Trump of the United States, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar who became popular during this pandemic for promotion of his country’s self-acclaimed COVID-19 treatment formula. Several claims were falsely attributed to Trump despite reports that he regularly promoted coronavirus misinformation. Prominent individuals were also falsely targeted for COVID-19 false information. Prominent among these was Bill Gates and his Foundation targeted in 5 of the 10 fact-checks in this category. A New York Times report noted Bill Gates as “the leading target for coronavirus falsehoods,” which might explain the increased fact-checks on him. Others in this category were business Mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, entrepreneur and footballer Ronaldo reportedly giving freebies and donating business facilities as coronavirus treatment centres. 

Fact-checking tools used in analysed fact-checks included Reverse Image Search mostly done through google and then through other image search engines such as TinEye and Yandex. Other tools used included CrowdTangle, LinkTally, and audio tracing. The most common fact-checking process identified is termed cross-referencing in this analysis. This describes a combination of verification steps such as referencing, scrutinizing the information, finding verifiable facts or evidence to prove the accuracy or otherwise of the claim. It also includes conducting interviews with key actors or experts on the topic of discourse.  Almost 80% (78.5%) of identified fact-checking instances identified in the analysed contents involved cross-referencing.

Conclusion

In examining the focus of fact-checks on coronavirus in Dubawa and Africa Check, findings suggest that misinformation around the pandemic was rife in the early months of the outbreak, with high fact-checks published in March and April while experiencing gradual decline afterwards. Findings  here might suggest some possibility of collaborative efforts driving publication of fact-checks around the issues of interest with high tracking of misinformation on Facebook and debunking of noticeably high number of claims targeting Bill Gates, especially on Africa Check. This is so as Africa Check regularly displays Bill Gates Foundation as one of its major funders.  Such likely influence can however not be concluded as some other factors, as discussed above could be driving such fact-checks of potential interest to fact-check funders. 

Fact-checkers need to provide clear understanding of meanings of their ratings and explain possible differences that might be intended for similar but perhaps different ratings. Some lack of consistency in fact-check ratings found in this study could suggest unintended conclusions for readers. The high rate of false, incorrect, and fake ratings, however. suggest that suspicious claims considered worthwhile for fact-checking often turn out to be false as suspected.

Findings from this study suggest that misinformation on potential cure, official policies and pronouncements, funding of COVID-19 and palliatives; and prevention, are frequently shared on social media platforms in Nigeria. This calls for concern and continuing vigilance of fact-checkers, as some claims can have costly consequences, proclaiming unwholesome practices, and could have gone viral before they are fact-checked and perhaps subsequently taken down. Most misinformation rated false were found to have targeted government entities both locally and beyond. This calls for concerted efforts of government institutions to continuously track misinformation about them in the public place and debunk them promptly. Facebook appears to be the dominant platform through which misinformation on coronavirus is mostly spread in Nigeria. This may be due to the intended tracking of misinformation on the platform due to existing collaboration with fact-checkers. Facebook, which also owns WhatsApp, has a stipulated policy to limit the spread of Covid-19 misinformation and harmful contents across its platforms.

Of recent, many notable personalities and political figures around the world go about their respective public functions with the ‘Air Doctor’ virus blocker tag. Sometimes known as ‘Virus Shut-Out’, they look like normal ID badges. 

But according to their manufacturers, they are made of chemicals to wipe out airborne pathogens and protect wearers from disease.

The manufacturers noted that the Air Doctor badge releases small amounts of chlorine dioxide which can kill airborne pathogens, including the coronavirus.

It can be hung on the chest, pocket, or bag.

But how true is this claim and how effective are these virus blockers?

How does it work?

As we adapt to new realities, new questions constantly arise. What kind of masks should be worn? Can air blockers be the solution for any of these problems? 

Manufacturers claim that virus removal cards can kill bacteria and viruses because of the key ingredient; chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant used to treat drinking water and sterilise medical equipment. 

The claim is that it is able to “provide protection against airborne pathogens”, presumably including the novel coronavirus.

The tags, according to the manufacturers, “eliminate all forms of microbial life” and provide “ultimate protection against airborne infection diseases”, including for children, pregnant women and immuno-compromised people such as cancer patients. 

The product is sold under various commercial names, including Air Doctor, Virus Shut-Out and Chlorine Card.

Also, a Japan based company Kiyou Jochugiku Co. Ltd in July, launched “Air Doctor” in India. According to the company,  it is a portable product that helps prevent viruses, bacteria, and fungi from coming in contact with the user within a 1-meter radius. It contains sodium chloride, natural inorganic substances – natural zeolite.

The company noted that the product is approved worldwide by the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration and The Japan Ministry of Health, Welfare & Labor.

The product has been marketed as a flu treatment in Japan since 2015, long before the novel coronavirus emerged late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan. 

However, the Japanese consumer affairs agency on May 15, 2020 warned the public that the product was ineffective against COVID-19.

How much does it cost?

According to the manufacturers, once it is opened, the tags are effective for up to one month. 

However, the effective period may differ under different circumstances.

Dubawa found out that Cleaneat Integrated Services, is one of the major dealers of Air Doctor, Virus busters, and other air purifiers in Nigeria. 

Dubawa found the items for sale online, checks revealed that the price of Air Doctor depends on the quality and also fluctuates depending on the level of demand for the tags. 

Currently, the retail price for the Air Doctor tag is N17,000 while the wholesale price is N150,000/pack containing 12 pieces.

How effective are these cards? 

The card has been banned in several countries this year, including in the US, Thailand, and the Philippines.

The “virus blockers” were originally created in Japan. They have been banned in Vietnam and Thailand, but are on sale in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Russia, and the U.S. under a number of different brand names.

In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned people to avoid products containing chlorine dioxide, saying that its ingestion by a number of individuals as a prophylactic against the virus has resulted in “serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.” 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has banned Virus Shut Out badges from entering domestic ports, and instructed Amazon to remove the product from their site. 

Last month, when President Donald Trump made comments suggesting that injecting disinfectant could treat the coronavirus, supporters in conspiracy circles such as QAnon jumped at the notion that he was referring to chlorine dioxide — the chemical compound has long been touted and sold by fringe figures as a cure for everything from HIV to the common cold.

No available evidence ‘Air Doctor’ purifies the air – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which is the country’s national public health institute, has stated that there is no available evidence to suggest the use of a body-worn tag often marketed as ‘Air Doctor’ purifies the air around the wearer. 

The efficacy of such air-purifier pouches outdoors is also yet to be established, with Kiyou Jochugiku saying it becomes less effective in open-air settings. 

Notable personalities in Nigeria have appeared in public in recent weeks wearing the “virus removal cards”, clip-on tags marketed as prevention against infectious diseases. 

‘Devices have not been registered by NAFDAC’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control disowned Air Doctor and other products that are marketed as capable of blocking COVID-19 from infecting the wearers.

The regulatory agency told PUNCH HealthWise that the devices have not been registered by NAFDAC, even though it received applications for registration of some of them.

An epidemiologist and population health scientist at Harvard University, Dr. Ibraheem Abioye, said, “There is really no evidence that the products work. The sellers claim that the products sanitise the air around the wearer. But we know that some of the people who have been the main advocates still became infected with COVID-19.

“There are already science-backed actions that people should take and shams like these are likely to put people at risk.”

Conclusion

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, WHO has repeatedly stated that there is no specific cure or prevention for COVID-19. 

In August, the World Health Organization said there may never be a magical cure for the coronavirus even as scientists and drugmakers across the globe race to find a safe and effective vaccine.

Air Doctor products are not licenced by FDA and in any other country by its drug control agency.  

The active ingredient in Air Doctor and similar products is authorized to be used to disinfect medical instruments or food and is not to be used as a human protection against infection.

The researcher produced this fact-check per the Dubawa 2020 Fellowship partnership with The Nation to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country. 

Chances are that you’ve come across these face shields and mistook them for a Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] officer. Fear not, they are just some of the outcomes of this pandemic. And it seems the public is even taking more to face shields, than face masks, for preventing the novel virus. But how well would a face shield protect and offer you a sufficient cover, and do you even need it?

Enter scene, face shield

The (surgical) face shield is a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to protect against fluid splashes to the face during medical procedures that may be infectious. In other areas such as in engineering works, face shields protect against particles such as metal bits that fly off during welding processes, for instance. 

Similarly, firefighters, scientists and law enforcement utilise diverse variations of face shields. In general, face shields are classified based on their ability to withstand impacts. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ranks face shields based on their impact capabilities (low or high impact shields). The European (EN 166) and Canadian (CSA) Standards Organisations also use similar criteria. 

In manufacture, the face shields are commonly made from polycarbonate and cellulose acetate. And the material choice is premised on the translucent/transparent nature of these plastics as well as their durable and non-reactive properties. 

What then is the difference between the face shield & the face mask?

In general, face shields protect against substances coming into contact with the face; in contrast, face masks filter the air you breathe in or breathe out. The manufacture or material choice for face shields were not premised on filtration, but protection against impact. 

Functionality vs aesthetic and comfort

Face shields like the ones in this picture are rather fashionable & only have the effect of perhaps preventing one from touching their mouth, nose or eyes to protect against covid-19

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there was a shortage of PPE supply to healthcare workers, face shields and face masks mostly. Furthermore, scientists knew little about the transmission of the virus. Hence, fears fueled by misinformation made people improvise on presumed rational practices. Regardless, studies, like this finding from the lancet, have shown that face masks protect people against spreading or getting infected with the coronavirus. In contrast, studies on face shields show that, in fact, they offer no protection against the virus – the vital difference being their functionality. While the former acts as a filter, the other works as a protection against direct impact to the face. Notwithstanding, the function of face shields in preventing one from touching their face is undeniable.  Regardless of the growing concern of the coronavirus transmission through circulating air in closed/poorly ventilated areas, there is still strong support, through studies, on the very minimal transmission of the novel virus between infected and healthy parties utilising facemasks.

Conclusion

Health authorities have also repeated the need to wear a mask alone or with a face shield if one longs for more security. The increasing showboating with respect to rising demands for shields have merely spiked the price of PPEs, draining much-needed resources away from health workers.

Health authorities like the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health & Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) discourage the use of face shields alone if they must be used.

So always wear a face mask, and not a face shield!

A viral WhatsApp message claimed that the sanction for failing to wear a face mask is an N20,000 fine, 6 months imprisonment or both.

The claim that there is a fine of N20,000 or six-month imprisonment for not wearing a face mask is false. 

Full Text

A WhatsApp message claimed that the use of face masks in public had been made compulsory and that failure to wear face masks is now a criminal offence in Nigeria.

The message urging the public to always go out with their face mask added that this offence attracts a fine of N20,000, six-month imprisonment or both.

Also, a recent Facebook post by Tomiwa Ogunremi repeated the claim even as he admitted the inability to confirm the authenticity of the source.

Verification

First, Dubawa conducted a keyword search on the use of face masks in Nigeria. Then we studied the recent guideline for easing the lockdown by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and that of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). 

COVID-19 and Face masks

Following the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the World Health Organisation recommended the use of face masks. 

The Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) also recommended wearing face masks in public. 

According to the NCDC, the primary aim of this measure is to prevent infected persons and asymptomatic carriers of the virus from spreading the disease. The centre explained that this measure adds another layer to extant measures such as physical distancing, hand washing as well as respiratory hygiene.

With the continuous rise in the number of cases globally,  some countries have made the use of face masks in public compulsory, but not all countries have attached sanctions like fine and imprisonment to violations. 

Although the wearing of face masks in public in Nigeria was announced as compulsory by the Presidential Task Force [PTF] on COVID-19, no stated sanction was announced. But there were indications in April that hints that the PTF might move in that direction muted when the Task Force claimed it was working on a policy for the mandatory use of face masks. So far nothing to that effect has been released.

Below is a recent guideline by the PTF for the second phase of easing the COVID-19 lockdown.

Conclusion 

The claim that there is a fine of N20,000 or six-month imprisonment for not wearing a face mask is false. 

While the Nigerian Government had made wearing of face masks compulsory, there was no stated sanction such as a fine or imprisonment for defaulters. The only thing mentioned in the PTF guideline is the “no mask, no entry” and “no mask, no service” policy.

This is a real-time article, and there are more awe-inspiring projects we forgot to mention. If you want to share a new and different project by your organisation or others, send us a message.

Fact-checking and Innovation: WhatsApp Chatbots, online archives and more product updates

Amid this disquietude, the novel coronavirus is teaching us to adapt to our new realities. As dire as the situation is, humans genuinely have the opportunity to think creatively, and to imagine novel solutions to survival threats. One of such threats being the threat to our health, both mentally and physically.

In this article, we will share 7+ examples of how organisations are thinking outside the box and how you can use this information to stay safe. For ease of reading, the projects will be divided by location, with a bonus section on two tech giants.

On a global scale

Starting at the very top, Poynter Institute’s International Fact-checking Network (IFCN) recently launched a WhatsApp chatbot that puts the power of the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance at your fingertips, they said. The CoronaVirusFacts Alliance consists of more than 100 fact-checkers from 70+ countries across 43 languages and 16 time zones. Collectively, the consortium has published 4800+ fact-checks; sharing and translating the facts across their various platforms and on a designated web page.

It is this information that the chatbot relies upon to bring facts to you via a platform that is fast becoming the epicentre of false news. To use the bot, users can either save +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact number to their phonebook and text the word “hi.” Alternatively, they can click this link without saving the chatbot’s number.

Either way, you’ll see options to help you access fact-checks on a specific topic (local or international), learn more about fact-checking networks near you, or learn techniques to protect yourself from misinformation. Check this article for detailed information on how to use it.

Why it matters to you

Asides being the best source for answers to your questions about the novel coronavirus, the tool can help you to pre-empt false information before it becomes viral in your region. By randomly – and consistently – looking out for new information via the tool, you can notice patterns as well as identify fake news on other platforms. That way, you will not be too emotionally-riled up to act irrationally! 

Want to go even further? Spend some time with the database. Also, check out the Twitter list; the content is intriguing.

Spotlight: Africa

For the price of one, here are two organisations in Africa that are busy fact-checking viral posts on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and other news articles: Dubawa and AfricaCheck. 

Dubawa, our project, stayed on course by maintaining an archive of verified information, but also redesigned the webpage to accommodate the volume of coronavirus-related fact-checks. For easier access, you can find such fact-checks in one place.

On April 20, we also launched a “weekly newsletter on the ongoing infodemic”, distributed in the form of a weekly email and published on the website. The goal is to keep people informed about the latest news & updates on coronavirus-related developments in Nigeria. A typical edition is a mix of a research article; selected fact-checks from the previous week; answers to questions that Nigerians are asking in a Q & A format; our top picks of likely-to-be-false news which we (sadly) couldn’t fact-check, and other insightful tidbits. Until now, the newsletters generally went out fortnightly.

The project has also entered into partnerships with other organisations including the Coronavirus Alliance (mentioned earlier) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to reach more Nigerians with verified information.

Health research and data is at the heart of AfricaCheck, which launched a dedicated InfoFinder Covid-19 page in addition to their other pages. InfoFinder is a tool that displays all the facts on a topic (in this case, coronavirus) by region or theme. There’s also a page for “what others have fact-checked” which pools together useful resources from across the world.

Why it matters to you

Accurate information never gets old. Online archives will serve various purposes that transcend beyond the coronavirus season: a record of historical events as they happened, a resource base for future research and a go-to platform for acquiring current knowledge.

Joint fact-checking in Europe 

“In a crisis, there are two types of people: people who need help, and people who want to help”, says Coral founder, Andrew Losowsky. Sometimes, the people who want to help are a collection of news organisations in South-Eastern Europe who- set aside newsroom rivalry to- jointly promote media accountability, improve media literacy and fight disinformation in the region. 

Through SEE Check, the coalition will convene a series of webinars to talk about the most popular and harmful disinformation cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. They also analyse trends that indicate the common problems organisations face, necessitating a united cross-border response.

This initiative is similar to the online media festival hosted by Splice Newsroom, a digital media consultancy based in Singapore. The festival featured a series of 30-minute discussions with newsrooms in Asia and Europe about what they’ve been working on (you can find all those talks on their YouTube channel).

Why it matters to you

Many organisations have built their businesses around face-to-face meetings with staff or the general audience. By joining news webinars, you can gain insights on a particular topic and at the same time, learn what it will take to recreate in-person experiences online. 

If you’re interested in the news industry, check out detailed documentaries on hosting online events by two organisations: Splice Newsroom and Outride.rs.

Text messaging in the US

Getting fact-checks to more people in real-time is not just a problem of developing countries. In the United States, dozens of news organisations are using GroundSource and Subtext to address reader’s coronavirus questions through text messaging. Over 150,000 people have gotten text updates in recent weeks.

The use of text messaging in the US is not unprecedented: A recent M+R study noted that audiences for nonprofit text messaging grew by 26% in 2019. That growth came even as Facebook audiences grew by just 4% and email list sizes declined by 2%.

Both tools provide a platform for two-way communication with people. With built-in analytics, news organisations can monitor and listen to their audience via feed and exportable data. 

Why it matters to you

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is implementing a similar initiative in partnership with telecommunications companies in Nigeria. While watching out for those messages, it is crucial to appreciate the efforts that other key players in the news industry are making to keep you informed. With declining revenue, news organisations are paying high fees for services that bring news to your doorstep. Subscribe to the membership plans of news organisations or donate.

Product and policy updates by the big techies

The big technology companies have been rolling out changes to their platforms and doling out millions of dollars to support innovative initiatives that can help protect their audience this season. 

This month, Facebook announced the first 20 members of an oversight board – “a kind of independent Supreme Court to help the company rule on the deluge of moral, ethical, editorial, and legal challenges it was facing”, says Alan Rusbridger, one of the founding board members. The Board consists of a team of external experts who will moderate online content in light of Facebook’s content policies and freedom of expression. (If you’re interested to know how posts are moderated on the platform, read their policies and community standards)

In March, Facebook updated its data download tool to offer even more transparency to users in terms of why they’re seeing the ads that are showing up in their feeds. The Facebook-owned instant messaging service, Whatsapp also introduced a new limit on forwarding messages on its app and collaborated with the WHO to launch an information service that reached more than 10 million users within days. 

The company is also testing other new features to reduce misinformation about the virus on both WhatsApp and Messenger; like one that will enable its users to immediately search for additional context on a message via a Google search prompt in-stream. (Learn more about how Facebook is keeping people safe here and here or here) 

Similarly, Google’s Fact Check Explorer tool shows you multiple global fact-checks on the new coronavirus. (You’ll need to sign in via a Google account). This tool is in addition to its efforts aimed at blocking all ads that appear to capitalise on the pandemic while helping the World Health Organization (WHO) and other government authorities run public service announcement ads to educate the general public.

Apple and Google are also providing additional resources for developers (not users) working with the first version of their Exposure Notification API. The tool will make it easier for public health agencies to track and notify individuals of potential exposure to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

More updates? The pandemic is also forcing other internet companies like Twitter and Google-owned YouTube to rethink their automated ad rules. YouTube just introduced its fact-check panels to searches in the United States, a feature that is almost identical to Facebook’s overlay feature. (Find out how it looks here. Also, learn more about how Google is keeping people safe here or here) 

Since Google recently revamped its ads policy, there’s been a significant decrease in the number of bad ads on the market, according to this report. During the next few months, it may be more important than ever to stay up to date with what’s happening on your primary social media platforms, especially since these new features may be so valuable to your business or for your safety.

Are you still wondering why it matters to you? Reread the entire article!

Coronavirus Q & A 

• Can kids be infected with coronavirus?

Yes, the coronavirus affects both the young and old; children can contract and spread the virus as much as adults can with no significant gender difference. Therefore, the general hygiene rule also applies to them, especially washing of hands as they tend to play with different objects. (see how to encourage kids to wash their hands). However, they are less susceptible and have a low mortality rate when compared to adults. Check here for symptoms in kids.

• Can you get coronavirus twice?

The fact that a patient has been infected and cleared of coronavirus does not rule out the possibility of him getting it again. Believing reports that grants immunity to these set of people are dangerous as the World Health Organization has said that no evidence recovered patients are immune. ‘There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.’ 

• Can chloroquine be used to cure coronavirus?

Although health authorities approved chloroquine for Covid-19 clinical trials, there is no evidence to prove that the drug cures coronavirus. Health authorities have not established any drug to give 100 per cent relief of the virus; the World Health Organization has also addressed reports on the drug’s efficacy. Recall, Dubawa once revealed the cases of chloroquine abuse outside and within Nigeria.

• Is there a coronavirus vaccine in Nigeria?

NO, there is none. According to PMNEWS, this was confirmed by WHO’s Immunisation Team Lead, Dr Fiona Braka, who emphasised that the World Health Organization has no available vaccines for the control of coronavirus. 

Tip of the week 

#FakeNews Alert 

• Nigerian Rapper Killed By Coronavirus – SOURCE: ONLINE BLOG (The Status Online)

There have been false attributions of death to COVID-19 in the past. Therefore, one should adequately verify such reports before sharing. Ask yourself, which credible news platform has published this?  

• BREAKING!! Almajiris On Their Way To Abia Intercepted At State’s Border (Photos) – SOURCE: ONLINE BLOG (Igbere TV Blog)

Picture claims can be misleading; many times, Dubawa has seen a single picture, telling different stories as it appears on various platforms. Get familiar with Google Reverse Images and TinEye; both tools help in identifying the source of an image. 

• “Covid-19 Patients Running Away from Isolation Centres” …Lagos raises the alarm – SOURCE: ONLINE BLOG (Global Excellence)

Questions to ask yourself: Who is the source? Is he credible? Have credible news platforms reported the news? Has the government addressed the issue? 

• Lagos Gov’s 10 Staff Hit by Coronavirus! *gov, wife test negative – SOURCE: ONLINE BLOG (Global Excellence)

Be careful what you believe on news blogs. Recall, Dubawa checked a similar claim, saying 15 Senators had tested positive for covid-19. However, it was not true; in fact, no senator tested positive. 

On Saturday, April 18th, news of Abba Kyari’s death went viral; as a result, Nigerians took to their social media handles to share their thoughts about the President’s Chief of Staff. While Twitter welcomed mixed-reactions from the people, we received a long text from WhatsApp. 

From the text, we have drafted the following claims:  

1.  Flown from Abuja to Lagos when he tested positive (breaking lockdown rules)
2.  He was treated privately at First Cardiology in Ikoyi  (not Isolation Centre)
3.  His body was released for burial contrary to what Lai Mohammed said that COVID 19 dead bodies cannot be released for burial.
4. Claims about unprofessional and unhealthy conduct at the burial site.

Full Text

Abba Kyari and COVID-19

Thisday broke the news on Abba Kyari’s COVID-19 on March 24. However, Sahara Reporters first broke the news a day before, albeit based on a gut-feeling; the paper later confirmed their suspicion the following day when hunch became fact.  Kyari, himself further affirmed the revelation in his statement on 29th, where he revealed he would be going to Lagos for further tests and observation. He was there till April 18th, Saturday where he reportedly died.

CLAIM 1: Abba Kyari was Flown from Abuja to Lagos when he tested positive, thereby breaking lockdown rules.

Verification

The lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun became effective 11 pm on 30th Of March; occurring a day after Abba Kyari released a statement, confirming his COVID-19 status. In this statement, released on the 29th of March, Kyari announced his transfer to Lagos for further observation and tests.

“I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation…”

Supporting this report is the publication by DailyTrust that included Kyari’s arrival in Lagos in an air Ambulance. The Lockdown, however, did not start until 11 pm on the 30th of March. 

Be that as it may, a publication suggested that Kyari violated the Quarantine Act for embarking on private treatment against advice of government officials and top health practitioners.

Conclusion

While is true that Abba Kyari was flown to Lagos from Abuja, it is important to note that according to available evidence, he arrived Lagos before Lockdown came into effect.

CLAIM 2: He was treated privately at First Cardiology in Ikoyi  (not Isolation Centre).

Verification 

The Lagos State Commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, has confirmed, as published by Premium Times, that the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari had died in a private hospital identified as First Cardiology Consultants, situated in Ikoyi, Lagos.

However, we recall the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, previously said that there were no private hospitals for managing confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease in the country. He made the statement while responding to questions on whether any private hospital had been accredited for the management of COVID-19. He added that the management of the disease is difficult and can overwhelm private facilities. 

While the hospital is not an isolation centre, the Lagos State government has said the hospital has the capacity to manage COVID-19 cases and has been accredited.

“hospital is a Lagos State designated high care, biosecurity-compliant, COVID-19 facility, accredited by the Health Facility Management and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.”

However, The Nigeria Medical Association had warned against treating COVID-19 patients outside isolation centres; as “there are so many things involved which go beyond the expertise of the medical personnel.”

Following the death and burial of Kyari, the Lagos state government has ordered for the closure of First Cardiology and suspension of operations at the private hospital for decontamination.

Conclusion

The chain message was accurate concerning Kyari’s treatment being in a private hospital. The said hospital in Lagos State managed his condition until he died. This action, however, has sparked reactions from health experts as well as the Lagos State government who reportedly closed the hospital for fumigation.

CLAIM 3: The authorities released his body for burial, contrary to what Lai Mohammed said about COVID-19 dead bodies.

Verification

On April 3rd, The Nation noted the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, saying that corpses of COVID-19 positive patients were the purview of the ministry of health; further stating that loved ones cannot claim them for burial. He also said the department of health would handle the bodies because they are contagious.

Yet, on 18th of April, authorities released Abba Kyari’s body and flew him to Abuja for burial at Gudu Military Cemetary. However, the men that buried his remains were ensembled in protective equipment.

Are COVID-19 dead bodies contagious?

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in its Interim Guidelines for the Safe Management of a Dead Body in the Context of COVID-19, bodies of coronavirus victims can be infectious only if the pathologist mishandles the patient’s lungs during an autopsy. The agency further said, “To date, there is no evidence of infectious bodies of persons who died of COVID-19.” 

But NCDC has not stated whether it is right or wrong to release COVID-19 dead bodies for burial but has made provision for family members and friends to view the corpse before burial while making sure to observe certain precautions during and after viewing.

“Family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for burial, in accordance with customs. They should not touch or kiss the body and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water following the viewing; physical distancing measures should be strictly applied (at least 2 meters between people).”

Additionally, the NCDC put guidelines in place for anyone that wants to bury the dead.

Conclusion

The WhatsApp claim is accurate. However, Lai Mohammed’s statement that the bodies are contagious is not entirely true. Remains can only be infectious if the Pathologist mishandles the patient’s lungs of the patients during an autopsy. However, seeing as the amount of care rendered during Kyari’s autopsy (concerning his lungs) remains with his Pathologist, we cannot be sure; even a report may not paint an accurate picture. 

CLAIM 4: Claims about unprofessional and unhealthy conduct at the burial site.

Verification

The Health and Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Authority has acknowledged and addressed all unprofessional conduct presented in the WhatsApp message in a statement. The statement urged residents to remain calm; further promising that in the future, burial arrangements will be in line with the protocols established by the NCDC. 

Conversely, the taskforce refuted a falsehood circulating on social media; positing the agency gave a would-be apology for violating social-distancing protocols. Notwithstanding, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, subsequently admitted to “unintentionally” violating COVID-19 protocols. Mustapha, who doubles as the head of the Presidential Task-Force (PTF) on COVID-19, made this revelation during a PTF briefing.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Enforcement Team expressed their aloofness with regards to the burial. The team’s head, Attah Ikharo, revealed this, also stating how the agency has prosecuted over 150 persons; promising more ongoing prosecutions as the team ascertains the total number for the day. It is also important to note that the presidency has denied Villa access to some of its aides; the ones who attended the funeral.

Conclusion

All available evidence supports the assertion that the funeral proceedings breached NCDC’s protocols; however, the federal authorities launched preemptive initiatives to curb the spread resulting thereof.

A picture text circulating on WhatsApp attributed to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control claims they spent 1 billion naira on SMS notifications to educate Nigerians.

The NCDC did not claim that it spent one billion naira on the circulation of SMS to Nigeria. Instead, the text messages on COVID-19 are in-kind support by telecommunication companies, Airtel, Glo and MTN.

Full Text

A viral screenshot reveals that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has spent 1billion Naira on educating Nigerians about the coronavirus pandemic through SMS/Text Messages. The post, which started circulating on April 8, has been found on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

#ChinaMustExplain

NIGERIA is a zoohttps://t.co/5gQ05v4Uup

I hate pastors#tariq#Nigerians#Passover2020 pic.twitter.com/BHOLfges5U

— Ngozi ojukwu (@Ngoziojukwu4) April 9, 2020

The author presented the claim in the form of a screenshot of a supposed news site.  It has ‘NEWS’ written on the top left corner, followed by a big headline which reads, “Breaking: We have spent 1B Naira on SMS just to educate Nigerians – NCDC.” Below the headline was the NCDC logo and the body of the news which seems cropped off immediately after the first paragraph.

In addition to using its social media platforms and website, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has also chosen text messaging as a medium to inform and educate people on the new coronavirus. But has the centre incurred up to 1billion Naira on educating the public via SMS?

Verification

Often, fake news platforms commit horrendous spelling and grammatical errors. In this case, one such error is the spelling of the word “centre” in the picture-text. The choice to opt for the American version of the spelling- “center” is questionable. This is especially true as we adopt the British spelling in this country and one would think officials ought to know that. Not to mention, when such a blunder was used in the organisation’s name.

Also, it is common practice in journalism to indicate how an author comes about a comment; a vital piece absent in the claim attributed to the NCDC and one Dubawa notes as a main-stay element of false statements.

Another factor that immediately portrayed the claim as fake is the fact that no credible media outlet published it. The issue addressed in the publication is too essential for the mainstream media to miss or ignore. The silence of the media on this information, therefore, waved a red flag on the post.

NCDC rebuffed the assertion

But whatever doubt existed that the claim was fake evaporated when the NCDC dissociated itself from the publication. In a post on its Facebook Page, on Thursday, the public health agency tagged the post fake, saying its officials never made such comment. 

The agency then explained:

“The headline claiming that NCDC has spent 1 billion naira on SMS to Nigerians is FALSE‬. ‪While communication through SMS is a key part of our #COVID19 response strategy, this has been largely provided as in-kind support by Airtel, MTN & Glo mobile network providers #TakeResponsibility.”

It is worth noting that since the pandemic spread to Nigeria, an infodemic ensued; and perpetrators have mischievously attributed concocted claims to the NCDC. The agency, however, has been prompt in disproving and disowning them. 

As Dubawa noted here, purveyors of misinformation often attribute falsehoods to high profile people and organisations. Consequently, Dubawa recommends adequate scrutiny of every information you receive, before taking any action based on it; especially if it’s attributed to the NCDC. This rationale also applies to other agencies as well.

A publication by Pearls news says 15 Nigerian senators has been tested positive for Covid-19. 

No Nigerian senator has tested positive for coronavirus, not according to the NCDC or any credible news platform. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control remains the number one source on all updates to confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country.

Full text

It is no news that Covid-19 finally found its way into Nigerian airspace. With over 40 index cases, it’s impossible to ignore. Amid this ever-present headline, Pearl news published a report two days ago claiming over 15 senators tested positive with Covid-19. What is more, this report surfaces after news broke that some government officials tested positive to the virus. 

Verification

Our first point of contact was the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). According to the NCDC, there are 29 cases in Lagos, 8 in Abuja, 1 in Bauchi, 1 in Ekiti, 1in Oyo, 1 in Edo and 3 in Ogun. Amongst the cases, not a single mention or description of 15 Nigerian senators.

Furthermore, a publication by Premium Times debunked this claim yesterday. According to the column, Mr Oloriegbe said, “So far, there is no senator that has tested positive as far as my knowledge is concerned, as of this moment.”

Reportedly, Abba Kyari, the Nigerian chief of staff wrote to the speaker of the house of representatives Femi Gbajabiamila. The letter stated how some lawmakers have refused to subject themselves to airport screening. But, Mr Oloriegbe suggested the letter was a fake, due to the fact that it was wrongly addressed. Nonetheless, it is important to note that said letter did not categorically state that the lawmakers have been tested and confirmed positive.   

Abba Kyari tests positive for Covid-19

Meanwhile, news reports yesterday confirmed that Abba Kyari tested positive with Covid-19. This revelation set social media ablaze, with many wondering if the President was the next victim. Although, some reports attest to the President’s testing negative for the disease. The fact is there are a lot of possibilities which necessitates the need for testing on governors, senators and political office holders; a viewpoint echoed by this report by Premium Times.

However, the NCDC remains the number one source for all coronavirus related updates. Everything else is essentially hearsay and speculation. Meanwhile, we are not unaware of theories which claim more cases exist than what statistics say. This, however, is an opinion and falls outside our jurisdiction. Still, it all buttresses the need for flattening the curve by following WHO protocols and staying updated with information from the NCDC. 

People always envisioned 2020 as the capstone year and my goodness what a year it has been. Let’s all try to remember that we are still in the first quarter; with what seems to be a year travelling at lightspeed. Nonetheless, in this edition, we shall attempt to slow things down for you; as we delve through Covid-19 and what the government and media are doing to decrease or inadvertently worsen the situation. 

Finding middle-ground

Not too high, not too low, safely in the middle. This logic seems to be the mainstay strategy the media and governments are adopting. The goal is to find that sweet spot of not causing panic, yet keeping citizens informed and alert. But, how do you do this and for how long; lest the scales tip over on either side. 

The World Health Organisation’s method has been prompt trenchant circulars and advisories. The health institute also took to social media since the pandemic’s genesis, creating hashtags and partnering with influencers. This approach has tried to reduce panic, all the while disseminating useful information; well if you discount all the misinformation that abounds as a result. Still, it has been the right approach; which begs the question, how do you port this rationale into fact-checking?

What’s the “safe-zone” in fact-checking

The middle-ground rationale is not novel in journalism, a venture rooted in honesty, transparency and all these good virtues; but, are there instances when the truth needs to stay hidden? What happens when you have a ground-breaking story that could destabilise a country’s peace and democracy? Do you (a) publish it and risk losing all you hold precious? Or, (b) negotiate a compromise, all the while still striving for advocacy and accountability? Option B seems like the right choice, at least we hope. 

It is for this reason that fact-checking platforms (including Dubawa) are starting to consider all these parameters. As much as our collective goal is the truth, as we know, the matter is subjective. Please do not misunderstand us; we are not saying, start lying or stop fact-checking. To the contrary, subject all claims under rigorous verification. However, after collating your findings, consider the impact and outcome and structure your article accordingly. This rationale holds especially in times like these; lest your battle against misinformation becomes an avenue for panic and confusion. 

To Emphasise or Trivialise

Continuing with our theme on middle-grounds, we’ll bring it home. How are the government finding this balance? Better still, what are they doing regarding the pandemic? 

As of Friday last week, the National Centre for Disease Control confirmed no index cases in Nigeria; the initial result for the second case turned out to be a false positive. Consequently, many have commended the Nigerian Health sector for their efforts in combating the spread of the novel coronavirus; with some citing the Ebola epidemic of 2014 as a training ground. 

Still, a few question the media’s emphasis on SARS-Cov2 when Lassa fever is shaping up to be the biggest epidemic with over 100+ deaths. A month ago, an expert cautioned against drinking garri as it was a risk factor for the virus. Dubawa surmised while it was well-intentioned, one should consider a wholistic hygiene approach when dealing with Lassa fever, not just avoiding “drinking-garri”. 

In the same vein, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari complained about the publicity the pandemic was getting when 822 people die daily from malaria. While this figure was wrong, it highlights a more significant issue- the perception of over-emphasising the coronavirus.

Malaria & Lassa Fever still in the conversation

Therein lies the question is SARS-Cov2 getting too much publicity? Certainly not! It is, after all, a pandemic. Besides, any less notoriety and the government may risk trivialising a serious issue which has claimed over 3000+ lives. And while there are no casualties in Nigeria currently, it is still a threat. Treating it any less has the propensity to wreak more havoc, spawning falsehoods that may exponentially worsen the case.

Hence, it should not be a coronavirus vs Lassa fever vs malaria. Each problem is equally important and demands the government’s attention. Notwithstanding, the government ought to consider the unrest concerning other epidemics like Lassa fever, especially concerning funding.   

#FAKENEWS ALERT

There’s precious little that we can do about the barrage of misinformation that we see daily, but there’s a lot we can do together if we learn to identify suspicious claims in the news and refrain from fuelling the fire by spreading them! Here are our top picks of likely-to-be-false news which [sadly] couldn’t be fact-checked.

• ONION THE KILLER & THE HEALER – Source: WhatsApp

This WhatsApp message communicates a strange revelation about onions. The message claims that onions can be of harm as well as good. But why should we be wary of claims like this? The answer is not far-fetched; the source made no reference to any scientific research but is deeply rooted in supposition.

• Confirmed Coronavirus Cases – Source: WhatsApp

While this appears like well-meaning information on a recent occurrence, a little mis/disinformation may be lying within the texts.

• The United States Reportedly Stops Visa For Nigerians Earning Below N612,000 Monthly – Source: Stelladimokokorkus.com

There have been several misinterpretations of the US ban and this may be another one.

• Claim about ISISWhatsApp group – Source: WhatsApp

Usually, for every WhatsApp group, there’s an exit option but why is the alleged ISIS WhatsApp platform different? Do they operate a different WhatsApp? Could WhatsApp have made this option available only to them? 

• Buhari orders Sanusi’s removal – Source: WhatsApp

The source already shot himself in the leg; he raised a red flag when he opened up about his people’s sentiments towards the President. Therefore, this could be sentimental supposition from an angry man.

Share this poster with your friends and family and help curb the spread of misinformation!

Popular health influencer on Twitter, @DrOlufunmilayo had reached out to other users on the platform on Saturday morning; creating awareness about a new virus in China that had allegedly killed 2 and put 7 in critical condition. 

The January 18th post has over 6.5K retweets and 2.1K likes; it also featured on Whatsapp groups.

Is there a new virus in China?

A new deadly virus has cast a dark shadow over Asia and fear of a pandemic is looming. Coronaviruses (as they are called) are a large family of viruses; 6 in number or so we thought. The newly detected one in the central city of Wuhan, China put its number to 7.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these set of viruses cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Symptoms can range from fever and coughing to kidney failure, and in some cases lead to death. Some coronaviruses transmit easily from person to person, while others do not.

What are the authorities saying?

BBC suggested the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) may have originated from infected animals at a seafood market that also sells dead animals in Wuhan, the largest city in central China. Since then, the virus has been infecting people as it spreads within and outside China, causing deaths and severe sickness.

CNN reported a death from the virus on Friday 17th of January; further revealing dozens sick as a result of the virus. BBC on Tuesday, 21 January also reported 6 deaths in China and how it has spread to other Asian countries – Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

As a result of this and the fear of impending dominance of the virus, China’s government has sent out warnings to its citizens, urging them not to cover up the spread of the new virus. 

The publication further surmised the warning to be the result of China’s prior experience with the coronary virus- SARS. It recalled China’s negligence concerning information resulted in the reported 774 death casualties in the early 2000s across several countries, mostly in Asia.

What is WHO saying?

The World Health Organization is still indecisive on whether to declare the virus as “a public health emergency of international concern”; this was the case for Ebola. It premised its reason on there not being enough information.

“Today, there was an excellent discussion during the committee meeting but it was also clear that to proceed, we need more information”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The WHO issued situation reports on the 20th and 21st of January giving updates about the virus, affected areas and precautionary measures to be taken.

While we wait for its decision on the virus, the body had advised the public to avoid “unprotected” contact with live animals. It further suggested we thoroughly cook meat and eggs and avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

What are the implications for Nigerians?

@DrOlufunmilayo had mentioned in his tweet that the US has commenced screening at her Airport. A notion expressed in this CNN report, it seems other countries have begun to take measures; “increasing health screenings and implementing new quarantine procedures as officials race to slow the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.”

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that it is taking necessary steps…

The NCDC is the country’s leading health institute. In its recently published public health advisory, it advised Nigerians to be calm regarding coronavirus. It further made known its commitment to making sure the Nigerian atmosphere is safe and secure.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is currently coordinating a technical group that is assessing and managing the risk of importation to Nigeria. NCDC is in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) who is closely monitoring the situation globally. WHO is in direct communication with the Government of China and other affected countries, and has released technical and travel guidance.   
“The Port Health Services Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria has been placed on alert and has heightened screening measures at the points of entry. In China, exit screening measures have been enhanced for travellers from Wuhan city at the Points of Entry (PoE) (airports and ground transport stations) since the 14th of January 2020. This includes temperature checks, combined with provision of information and masks to passengers with fever, as well as directing symptomatic passengers to health facilities for follow up.” 

Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

This came after establishing the fact that there is no specific treatment for disease caused by the virus yet. However, many of the symptoms can be treated. Therefore, treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. It also added that supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.

UPDATE!!!

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after an emergency meeting on Thursday, January 30th in Geneva.

The decision came after cases of human-to-human transmissions were confirmed outside China, where the outbreak started. And the fear that it would spread to countries with weaker health systems further brought about the decision.

Coronavirus tracker 

As the number of infected persons changes quickly, a real-time tracking map was revealed to show the movement of the virus. 

This map is from Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and  Engineering. It follows coronavirus cases across the world. Besides the map, this article (last updated on February 2) also contains information about the worldwide cases of the 2019-nCoV. 

Coronavirus in Lagos.

Rumour had it last week that coronavirus was detected in a Lekki hospital in Lagos. However, News platforms, as well as health officials, have come out to set the record straight.

The Lagos state commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi while addressing the rumour has provided actual details of the situation for clarification. This he has done via his Twitter page.

In addition, the state’s Ministry of Health has also stated in its press release that there is no case of coronavirus in Lagos.

Also worth noting, It should also be known that Lagos State Government said it has reached an agreement with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to quarantine all Chinese travelling back to Lagos from their country in order to avert the outbreak of deadly Coronavirus in the State.