Coronavirus and Social Media: A Heuristic Approach in the Face of Pandemic

Abstract

Since the existence of mankind, we have been faced with series of pandemics, which has threatened our very existence. We hear of nearly-total elimination of communities, tribes or nations. Most of these cataclysmic occurrences are either classified as wrath of God/devil on mankind, being that we are always cough off-guard. Widespread of these diseases are aided by high population density caused by urbanization and commerce across international borders. The world is currently facing an unprecedented global health emergency, due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. Corona Virus are large group of viruses which consists of core genetic materials and enveloped in protein spikes, which gives it the appearance of a crown. On the other hand, crown in Latin is called corona, hence the name Corona Virus. Finding solution to these pandemic occurrences has always been a serious challenge, ranging from vaccine, poor information channel among healthcare providers, poor media coverage in reporting the true situation and sensitizing the general public. The mainstream media rely on free movement to generate media content which has been hampered by the Sit-at-home order imposed by Governments across the world, while the social media platform has risen to the occasion of generation and circulation of news. People across the globe relied on the internet and social media as a source of alternative information since main stream media are controlled by the government, hence their contents are moderated. We are currently experiencing media overload, where people now freely share unverified news, inadequate number of cases, deaths, recoveries, prevention and cures. Governments across the world are not only fighting to combat the virus but cybercrime and fake news which has caused unnecessary panic, confusion and destruction of properties (5G masts) or even outright disregard to public order. The advent of coronavirus has further proven the fact that the world is a global village, seeing the speed at which the virus spread across the world, while the social media/internet has risen to the occasion of global communication, data sharing and e-commerce like never before. Social media is a blessing as well as a curse, depending on how we chose to use it during this pandemic.