WHO Joins TikTok To Dispel Coronavirus Misinformation

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with tech companies to fight misinformation about Coronavirus, also known as, COVID-19. While YouTube has already demonetized all videos related to COVID-19 and put a WHO warning underneath every video related to the virus outbreak, TikTok seems to be the next platform where the international organization is battling misinformation about the virus.

The WHO has joined TikTok and released two videos for the first time, which contain information about COVID-19 and how it spreads. The videos also inform viewers about safeguarding against the virus, how to use masks and whether or not you need a mask at all. Most importantly, it stresses that anyone who is not exhibiting the symptoms does not need a mask as most regions affected by the outbreak are experiencing a mask shortage.

The WHO’s channel will not be streaming dance videos but only information about the COVID-19 outbreak. Their initial video has more than 6.5 million views at the time of writing. The fact that WHO had to join TikTok to broadcast information about the virus is an insight into how popular the social media site has become.

TikTok also doesn’t have any dearth of social media users, who will fake being infected for the sake of views, which spreads a lot of panic.

However, the WHO tie-up with social media giants is also raising pertinent questions. The fact that all videos with Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the title have been demonetized is seen by many anti-China YouTube channels as a way to muzzle criticism of how the disease has been handled. Many YouTubers have pointed out that this tie-up between the company and WHO also undermines efforts to expose the tie-up between the organization and China.

The organization has repeatedly praised China’s efforts, even as COVID-19 has transformed into a pandemic from an epidemic. It, however, has woken up to the threat the virus poses and has sounded the alert.

“We are on the highest level of alert or highest level of risk assessment in terms of spread and in terms of impact. This is a reality check for every government on the planet: Wake up. Get ready. This virus may be on its way and you need to be ready. You have a duty to your citizens; you have a duty to the world to be read,” Dr. Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s health emergency program, at a recent press conference in Geneva.

However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebereyesus is still insistent that there is a lack of evidence to assert that the virus is “spreading freely in communities.”