COVID-19 INFLUENCERS

Billions of people worldwide rely on social media for information, and to stay connected to others. Thus, it is important in pandemic responses because it offers a platform for people to be informed and given situation reports about pandemics, sensitized about preventive measures as well as guided about rumours, and mis-information being spread via social media and other sources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I frequently shared information on social media platforms to help people understand the COVID-19 virus and importance of COVID-19 vaccination. I also shared tips on how people can stay healthy during the lockdown, and while staying at home. This ranged from diet, physical, mental health to maintaining social distancing. This helped build confidence in the vaccines, toned down fears, and disbelief about the virus, and also encouraged more people to adopt preventive measures to protect themselves as well as get vaccinated. A lot of misinformation were spread about COVID-19 vaccination in particular which led to vaccine hesitancy. I also did reports which identified and unearthed some misinformation on social media and countered them. An example is the report COVID-19: How Facebook Contributes To Vaccine Hesitancy Among Young Nigerians This was shared via many platforms and described as an eye opener by some persons who had earlier believed in the misinformation. Suffice to say social media is important in pandemic responses because it links everyone with information , updates, and guidiance from relevant health authorities, medical experts , researchers, the media ,and health advocates among others. This inturn influences behaviour change and protection against the pandemic.