Fake news and responsibility

Through your esteemed daily I would like to highlight the nationwide lockdown for 21 days ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a preventive measure towards the coronavirus pandemic in India. It was ordered after the 14-hour Janata Curfew on March 22. But many people have not yet understood the need of staying at home and maintaining the social distance. Keeping this aside, there are varieties of fake news on COVID-19 which are spreading in social media and among the people. From offering unverified home remedies to tackle the virus, to floating fake advisories asking people to avoid food such as ice-cream and chicken, sharing conspiracy theories, peoples’ phones are being flooded with misinformation. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to the citizens not to heed to the rumours surrounding COVID-19. I request the common people not to panic while receiving any fake information about COVID-19. The government and also in the page of World Health Organization (WHO) people can find the truth about the rumours. So, it is actually the time for everyone to behave as a responsible citizen, get prepared mentally to be a warrior and fight against COVID-19.

Priyanka Deka,

Noonmati, Guwahati