Gone are the days when every average Nigerian would want to travel to USA for almost everything: to work, study, vacation and so on.
United States of America is currently battling what could possible be its worst scenario of a pandemic. With more than 85,000 confirmed cases and 1,300 deaths, USA has the most cases of the virus. In other words, it is where the virus is more likely contacted than any part of the world.
Although, US leads the park in the number of cases of coronavirus worldwide, the total deaths resulting from the virus does not represent the highest globally: Italy, currently has the most deaths, over 8,000.
The President of USA, Donald Trump, has been uttering ‘false and misleading claims’ according to a report monitored by CNN .
This goes a long way for us to know how Misinformation can aid in the spread of the Coronavirus. As we would soon see, when the people aren’t well informed, they tend to make choices out of their misinformation. Some would overreact, others underreact. Any of which should be avoided in the time of an epidemic.
Misinformation infects faster than the pandemic itself, and is twice as deadly. It can arouse panic, modify the lifestyle of the receiver, affect their relationship with the world, which in the long run would promote the very spread of the virus more than usual.
In Nigeria, the virus has found its way to the Government, having infected the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed. There have also been speculations that the Governor might have infected others, as he met with other state Governors at NEC Meeting.
Coronavirus affects everyone, irrespective of status or pedigree. It is biological in Nature, which means that all humans are liable to it. Although, much is yet to be known about it, being that it is new, taking caution and be careful when in the company of others can reduce the chances of infection.