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World Health Organization launches a coronavirus WhatsApp service

This is to fight misinformation that has been spreading like wildfire on social media, mostly on WhatsApp.

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.
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/how-did-misinformation-about-the-coronavirus-spread-on-whatsapp-in-ireland/s-s9882HJlcSA

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:14 PM

    Dublin Corpo have ordered a big whale barrow to help move it.

    491
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    Mute Jeni Moriarty
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:16 PM

    Bahahaha i lol,d

    48
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    Mute Donal Martin
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:30 PM

    Stealing that joke. Good man

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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Aug 19th 2016, 7:21 PM

    Tis true, then they’re taking it to the whale weigh station!!

    58
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    Mute Free comment ratings
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:01 PM

    You can steal a joke? Bahhahaha. I haven’t heard that since I was 5.

    16
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 19th 2016, 9:59 PM

    Come on…lets go poke it with a stick..

    18
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    Mute John Mossy Naz Scales
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    Aug 20th 2016, 12:03 AM

    Cracking reply sir

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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:39 PM

    I failed to stay away from a beached whale in coppers one night. Take heed folks, it ain’t pretty

    442
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    Mute Andy Kennedy
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    She probably feels the same way about you.

    321
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:50 PM

    Alan , I laughed at that. . Even though I probably shouldn’t have …

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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:58 PM

    I have no doubt she did Andy. It turned into a very awkward situation for both of us. That’s why the warning must be heeded

    85
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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    ah no one of the Egyptian TV news anchors….RIP

    35
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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:17 PM

    Did you lose your wedding ring.

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:42 PM

    Risk of infection from everything these days. Away off and see the dead stinky whale if yis want.

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    Your a fool.

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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:48 PM

    *You’re

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    Mute ray.farrelly
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:13 PM

    Niall. Did you just on here to correct people.

    12
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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:42 PM

    Didn’t know this was english class. Nothing better to do than comment on peoples grammar?

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:54 PM

    He was pointing out how foolish to make a grammatical error when calling someone a fool. People’s grammar is not the issue.

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:19 PM

    Their there they’re.

    32
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 21st 2016, 10:54 AM

    People’s grammar….

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    Mute Danny G
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:17 PM

    “Stay away from the whale if you don’t want to get Moby Dick!!”

    69
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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:26 PM

    Is Minke southsoider speak for Manky?

    41
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    Mute Agrippa
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:26 PM

    “Warning, some viewers might find pics offensive” FFS nanny state in all its glory, look at the milennials, offended by their own shadow!

    31
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    Mute Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:01 AM

    It’s just good manners. You cover your mouth when you cough and you do people the basic courtesy of warning them before you shove a picture of a corpse in front of them.

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    Mute Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:02 AM

    Also, The Journal is not a state.

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    Mute Bondage Informer
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    Aug 19th 2016, 10:22 PM

    Death by plastic? Other dead whales have plastic trapped in their stomachs – plastic is a serious problem for the oceans.

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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:51 PM

    So close, Paddy.

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    Mute Pat O'Brien
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:14 PM

    Enjoy your fish and chips folks. The oceans have been well and truly raped. #theydiewedie

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    Mute Séamus Longshanks
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:08 PM

    I am always amazed how officialdom gets all excited by something as common as a beached whale.

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    Mute David Lewis
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:40 PM

    Brown Bread

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    Mute Mistur Haych
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    Aug 19th 2016, 11:34 PM

    Is that Mary Harney? Stay back lads, she’s only playing dead….

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    Mute Warren McAllister
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    Hope DLRCOCO have seen this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y

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    Mute Jane Baird
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:01 PM

    So sad at absolute lack of humanity evident. Appallingly insensitive.

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:05 PM

    Tasty!

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    Mute Michelle Power
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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:55 AM
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    Mute Michelle Power
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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:57 AM
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    Mute brian magee
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:36 AM

    Interesting to see all the gas build up that causes it to bloat and float

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