SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE BREAK OF COVID-19

In our previous issue, we established that people are already living with the intense fear of tomorrow in addition to the unanswered and unresolved existential questions – about why we are here and the purpose of life. This mindset of inadequacy or purposelessness facilitates an endless circle of worry and anxiety in people, families and even communities. It is true that we now live in what is known as the “age of anxiety”.  And the very first step to this great anxiety is fear.

Our world today, not just Nigeria, has become a frightening place to live. Many of us live with a sense of underlying dread about things and uncertainties around us.

In wind up of the year 2019, we experienced the emergence of Coronavirus which is often called Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The World Health Organization has warned that the coronavirus pandemic is a "defining global health crisis of our time", as it urged countries to test all suspected cases. The United States and countries across Europe have closed schools, entertainment venues and all but essential services, in an effort to combat the virus.

More cases are now being reported outside China, where the virus, COVID-19 first originated late last year, than inside. Globally, the virus has now infected more than 168,000 people and killed at least 6,610, according to the WHO. As a result, many nations of the world are under lockdown.

What then are the social media implications for us?

Uncertainty. Fear. Anxiety. Breakdown. These are desperate times as the world experienced such a pandemic with no cure or vaccine, only perhaps a bleak ray of hope from experts in Israel who say they might be weeks away from having a vaccine. But social media has not helped the spread of the information about COVID-19.

As the number of confirmed cases of illness grows, so too does the nation's collective uncertainty. Psychologists and public health experts say public anxiety is high, and it's largely fueled by a feeling of powerlessness. David Ropeik, an expert on risk communication. "When we don't understand something that leaves us feeling like we don't know everything we need to know to protect ourselves ... that equates to powerlessness, vulnerability."

Part of what drives feelings of anxiety is a lack of information. The virus is new, and there remain many questions about the illness it causes. Most people haven't had it, nor do they know someone who has. And this gives sleepless nights thus giving rise to panic over time.

Key to this fear or anxiety or even apathy towards this COVID-19 situation is how social media becomes the platform for information play. Either frightening information or information that downplays the intensity of the virus is being passed online. The fact that we know little about it has largely affected the information on social media and its perception by people in different parts of the World.

Nigeria, for instance, has been said to declare the two suspected cases Negative. This is information has been widely spread and just public perception and appreciation and even anxiety dropped. Many Nigerians are feeling at ease because it’s negative, but is this true? Is it true that is the virus is not in Nigeria? I doubt this.

I am not prophesying doom but underscoring how our perception and dependence upon information from social media affects our perception of the uncertainty around us. We unconsciously tilt towards information that seeming makes us feel safe. This can have long term effects in making us less careful and observing more safe health-related behaviour to keep us safe.

Take for instance, while that general media tells us the cases in Nigeria were confirmed negative, and testing is optimum and the National Center for Disease Control in up and running; whereas I have personally confirmed the case of a man who last week returned to Lagos, Nigeria from a high-risk county reaching out to the NCDC for testing because he has been having flu-like symptoms, but he has not been attended too. He has continually been shut down.

The implication is grave for us if there is a continuing disparity between the information on the social media, that which is if the news and what’s happening on the ground. Beyond panic, fear and anxiety, we will also have to deal with ‘I don’t care’ attitude and risky behaviours which will further harm not just our physical, but also mental health.

This is the time to guard what we share on this social media about the COVID-19 situation. We must decrease from spreading information to promote panic. It’s also the time to sieve what we read online and stop taking it all in.

Instead, we should seek and share verified information to help people stay safe and healthy. This is the time to also build safe connections. Instead of panic, talk about this information in the right circle of people. Be informed. Sleep well, eat well, exercise and observe healthy behaviours like washing your hands regularly and staying at least 6 feet away from coughing and sneezing zones.

Finally, feel your hearts and minds with the things of God. May our faith & hope be in Him alone. He will keep you and be gracious to you in these times. amen.