As Coronavirus Spreads, So Does Misinformation -- Here’s What You Need to Know

We’ve talked about the coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) in The Breakdown before, so check that out for some quick background on the virus. There have been some updates on the situation since then (and a lot of misinformation too), so here’s the latest.

What’s the Scope?

Right now, there have been about 80,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,700 confirmed deaths worldwide (that’s a mortality rate of about 3%). South Korea, Japan, and Italy are facing the largest outbreaks outside of mainland China, with cases in the hundreds.

I Heard Something About a Pandemic -- What Does That Mean?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a pandemic as “a worldwide spread of a new disease.”

It seems like COVID-19 may eventually be classified as a pandemic, but that says more about how far the virus has spread than how deadly it actually is (COVID-19’s mortality rate is significantly lower than past coronaviruses, like SARS at 9.6% and MERS at 34.4%).

So Why Stress?

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) point out, concerns are less about deadliness and more about the impact of thousands of people getting sick at the same time. It has the potential to overload public healthcare systems, cause absenteeism at schools and workplaces, and (in the most severe cases) affect infrastructure like law enforcement, emergency medical services, and public transportation.

By and large, people will physically recover from COVID-19, but its impact (especially on global economies and markets) may stick around for longer.

What About the United States?

Health officials are saying that the spread of COVID-19 to the US is pretty much inevitable. In the words of Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the CDC, “It’s not a question of if this will happen but when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses.”

Should I Panic?

Please don’t! Like Messonnier said, we still don’t know the future scope and severity of COVID-19 in the US, and any predictions we make right now would be educated guesses at best. So what we’re not going to do is freak out preemptively -- because we’ve seen how dangerous that’s been in other countries.

In Ukraine, a viral fake email about coronavirus risk led to violent and destructive protests over an issue that didn’t even exist (because there are zero active COVID-19 cases in Ukraine). Similar panic also happened in India over fake coronavirus news. The virus may not kill someone, but this kind of frenzied and misinformed behavior really could.

Take Action: Combat the spread of coronavirus misinformation. Direct your friends and family to WHO’s EPI-WIN project for mythbusters, advice, and info about COVID-19.

Artists, Athletes, Family, and Fans Honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Memorial Service

A memorial service was held at the Los Angeles Staples Center in honor of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash along with seven others. Among the attendees were family, fans, and some famous friends of the late athlete.

Vanessa Bryant, delivered a powerful eulogy, remembering her husband and daughter and the relationships they shared. She also reflected on the things they wouldn’t get to experience, like Giana’s bright athletic future or Kobe’s wish to be a grandfather.

Thousands gathered at the home of the LA Lakers for the “celebration of life.” The night began with Beyoncé’s performance of “one of [Kobe’s] favorite songs,” with slightly altered lyrics. There were emotional speeches from basketball players Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Diana Taurasi, among others.

"When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died," Jordan said. "I will live with the memories of knowing that I had a little brother that I tried to help in every way I could."

Take Action: Kobe Bryant’s death shook communities around the globe. There’s no “right” way to process grief -- let your friends know that they can always reach out about their feelings, including 24/7 at the Crisis Text Line.

Nevada Caucuses See Boost in Voters, Higher Turnout Also Expected in Texas

With the results from the Nevada Caucuses in the books, we have a clear picture of the state’s voter turnout. About 16,000 more Nevadans attended the caucuses this year compared to the 2016 presidential primary, and a majority of caucus-goers were doing so for the first time.

This increase may be partly due to the state’s new early voting process (the first in Nevada history). After all, the number of people who voted early this year is almost as high as the number of people who voted at all in 2016.

The love for early voting continues in Texas, where the process is currently underway. So far, Texans are casting their early ballots at a higher rate than they did in 2016, and officials are expecting massive voter turnout on election day -- maybe even exceeding that of 2008.

Take Action: Everyone benefits from making their voice heard at the polls. Remind your friends to register to vote in the 2020 elections.

“I was quite scared the first time because no one was doing it with me, but I’m doing this because I care about something. I really want people to listen to me and to make a difference.” - 9-year-old Amelia Bradbury, who has been striking for climate alone in a remote English village. She’s one of several young people solo-striking in rural areas
around the world.

ICYMI… here’s a quick recap of the Democratic Debate in South Carolina last night.

Why aren’t more people talking about… the University of California Santa Cruz graduate student workers who are risking termination and deportation to strike for living wages?

Why aren’t more people *also* talking about… how this court case could undo the Indian Child Welfare Act, which protects familial and tribal bonds in the adoption of Native children?

Meanwhile, in Germany… thousands showed up to mourn the 9 people killed in a recent anti-immigrant attack in Hanau.

My hero today is… Katherine Johnson, a pioneering NASA mathematician and one of the subjects of the film Hidden Figures. Johnson died on February 24.

My *other* hero today is… Lash Nolen, Harvard Medical School’s first Black woman class president.

Today in viral cuteness… the friendship between this Chihuahua who can’t walk and this pigeon who can’t fly (oh, my heart).

I’m obsessed with… this mariachi band serenading a beluga whale. Look at him bobbing his little whale head!!

And the Winner of Our DoSomething Pet Competition Is…

Max! This sweet (and VERY photogenic) pup belongs to Alisha, one of our Campaigns Associates. Big thanks to everyone who voted in last week’s poll!

(No DoSomething pets were harmed in the making of this pet competition. All participants are still certified Good Boys.)