Every day an endless amount of misinformation is disseminated on social media. But in the midst of a pandemic like the one we are facing now -- bad information could cost lives.

A tweet from a public figure can get millions of retweets in less than 24 hours. This is especially dangerous when the president and outlets like Fox News are more interested in spreading propaganda than facts.

More than ever, we need to make sure facts are front and center. Here are some ways each of us can play a role in ensuring only the most accurate information is amplified:

1. If you can’t independently confirm something is true, don’t share it. The more a false story is shared, the more credible it appears -- even if you’re trying to debunk it.
2. Encourage friends and family to distrust information forwarded with no links or links to an unknown news source. Share trusted, known news sources like the CDC and Reuters for the latest information.
3. Remember the situation is changing rapidly, and some people have a hard time navigating news online. Remind them of the best practices for Google searches, give them a call to talk through what they’re reading, or point them to specific URLs that they can check regularly, like the CDC’s Key Facts and the World Health Organization’s Mythbusters pages.

Science matters. Facts matter. We need to prioritize them over politics -- lives are depending on it.

Stay safe,

Sean Casten