Examples of MythBusters Developed to Address Rumors in Guyana During COVID-19 Pandemic
MythBuster #1 | |
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Myth | COVID-19 does not affect indigenous people. |
EPPM category | Low vulnerability, low efficacy. |
Rumor examples | “COVID-19 will not affect me as I am Amerindian.”“Once you get the ‘Rona’ and you have underlying conditions, you can die.”“Only persons with underlying conditions can die from COVID-19.” |
EPPM solution | Educate about risk and solutions. |
Fact | Anyone can contract COVID-19. People of all ages, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds have been infected and affected by COVID-19.Infected persons who do not show any symptoms of the virus can pass it to others with underlying health conditions, who can become severely ill. |
MythBuster #2 | |
Myth | The Ministry of Health is using contaminated COVID-19 test kits. |
EPPM category | High vulnerability, low efficacy. |
Rumor examples | “The COVID-19 test kits are infected.”“The MOH is using testing kits that were already used to test other suspected COVID-19 cases.”“The government is giving persons COVID-19 by using contaminated nasopharyngeal swabs.” |
EPPM solution | Educate about solutions. |
Fact | The kits used to test for COVID-19 are 100% safe and unused. You cannot get COVID-19 from a test kit. COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets generated from an infected person coughing, singing, talking, or sneezing. |
MythBuster #3 | |
Myth | Government is hiding COVID-19 numbers from Guyanese people. |
EPPM category | High vulnerability, low efficacy. |
Rumor examples | “Government is hiding COVID-19 numbers from Guyanese people.”“The numbers are much higher.” |
EPPM solution | Educate about solutions. |
Fact | The Ministry of Health publishes a COVID-19 dashboard daily for all Guyanese to see. The dashboard provides correct information about the reported COVID-19 cases and deaths in Guyana. The dashboard can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website: https://www.health.gov.gy/index.php/component/k2/item/670-guyana-covid-19-dashboard |
MythBuster #4 | |
Myth | You will become infected with COVID-19 if you mix with strangers. |
EPPM category | High vulnerability, high efficacy. |
Rumor examples | “To prevent COVID, don't mix with strangers or persons from the coastal plains.”“Only infected persons from the coastlands can take COVID to the mining areas.” |
EPPM solution | Include a call to action. |
Fact | Any person with COVID-19 (even if they are not showing symptoms) can infect others, including your friends, family, or strangers. Protect yourself and your loved ones by always wearing a mask in public, washing your hands often, and practicing physical distancing (6 feet/2 meters). |
Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease; EPPM, extended parallel processing model; MOH, Ministry of Health.