Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Campaign aims to counter COVID-19 misinformation

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Jan, 2021 06:45 PM
  • Campaign aims to counter COVID-19 misinformation

Scientists and health experts are launching a nationwide campaign to counter misinformation about COVID-19 and related vaccines.

The #ScienceUpFirst initiative is an awareness and engagement campaign that will use social media to debunk incorrect information and boost science-based content.

The campaign team says in a news release that it emerged from conversations between Nova Scotia Sen. Stan Kutcher and Timothy Caulfield, Canadian research chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta.

The initiative is now being led by the Canadian Association of Science Centres, COVID-19 Resources Canada, and the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.

Anyone interested in participating can follow @scienceupfirst and use the #ScienceUpFirst hashtag on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and tag the account to amplify science-based posts and alert it to misinformation posts.

The campaign says there is a marked rise in misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 vaccines, virus transmission and government response, and it represents a threat to the health and safety of Canadians.

"Misinformation is a dire, imminent threat to the lives of all Canadians and is proven to be one of the factors fueling COVID-19 infections, and dissuading Canadians from getting vaccinated," says Caulfield.

"The #ScienceUpFirst initiative seeks to help fill an urgent need to beat back misinformation with the truth, and save lives."

MORE National ARTICLES

Provinces slow vaccine programs amid supply crunch

Provinces slow vaccine programs amid supply crunch
Several provinces have used up nearly all their vaccine supply and have been forced to push back their vaccination schedules.

Provinces slow vaccine programs amid supply crunch

NDP warn of long delays in pay equity rule

NDP warn of long delays in pay equity rule
The government's pay equity regulations require the likes of banks and telecommunications companies to put plans in place to meet the new rules.

NDP warn of long delays in pay equity rule

Benefits for former GG inappropriate: O'Toole

Benefits for former GG inappropriate: O'Toole
Payette resigned last week ahead of the release of a report concluding she oversaw a highly toxic work environment at Rideau Hall.

Benefits for former GG inappropriate: O'Toole

Heavy snow misses most of B.C.'s south coast

Heavy snow misses most of B.C.'s south coast
Environment Canada had been calling for as much as 15 centimetres in some south coast regions by Monday morning.

Heavy snow misses most of B.C.'s south coast

BC announces 9 deaths for Friday

BC announces 9 deaths for Friday
There are two new health-care facility outbreaks at Royal Inland Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital. The outbreak at Queen’s Park Care Centre is now over. 

BC announces 9 deaths for Friday

Ottawa mulls mandatory hotel quarantine: Trudeau

Ottawa mulls mandatory hotel quarantine: Trudeau
The federal government is looking at options that would make it harder for people to return from foreign trips.

Ottawa mulls mandatory hotel quarantine: Trudeau

PrevNext