On WhatsApp, the WHO bot has been added that informs about the spread of Covid-19, the number of infected and counteracts fake news. How it works
To stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, information is also very important, especially if it comes from reliable sources. And in this case, there is no source more reliable than the World Health Organization, which decided to use WhatsApp to reach the widest possible number of people. There are more than two billion users around the world who use the instant messaging application and the WHO has decided to create a bot that can inform people in real time about the spread of the pandemic and what to do to avoid being infected (first and foremost, wash your hands often and stay indoors).
This is not the only initiative put in place by WhatsApp to help users in this complicated period. The staff of the application has created an Information Hub where information professionals and health workers can find guides on how to use the tool to provide real news about the pandemic. Unfortunately, in this period there are too many fake news that continue to be shared in WhatsApp groups, creating in many cases also alarmism among the population. Here’s what to do to receive information about the coronavirus directly from the WHO.
How the WHO bot works on WhatsApp
A bot to counter the spread of fake news about Covid-19 and to provide all the relevant tools to people. The bot developed by the WHO allows you to receive information in real time about the pandemic and what to do to prevent the spread of the infection.
The operation of the bot is very simple: you have to add in your contacts the number +41 79 893 18 92 and send a message on WhatsApp with the words “Hello”. Si riceverà un messaggio con tutte le spiegazioni su come interagire con il bot: essendo un robot non è possibile fare domande o avviare una conversazione, ma solamente restare informati.
“Get information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
What would you like to know about coronavirus?
Reply with a number (or emoji) at any time to get the latest information on the topic:
1. Latest numbers 🔢
2. Protect yourself 👍
3. Your questions answered❓
4. Mythbusters 🛑
5. Travel advice 🗺
6. News & Press 📰
7. Share ⏩
8. Donate now 🥰”
Inserendo l’emoji o inviando un messaggio con un numero dall’1 all’8 si riceve la risposta del bot dell’OMS. For example, sending the number 4 you will receive a message with all the myths and hoaxes published in these days about Covid-19
WhatsApp coronavirus information hub
The work of WhatsApp to properly inform users does not stop only at the WHO bot, but in these days it has also launched an Information Hub where professionals, citizens and health workers can find guides on how to best use WhatsApp. For example, creating groups, or making voice or video calls.
In addition, WhatsApp also reminds users to fight the spread of fake news: waiting to release the new feature that allows you to make an immediate search on Google, users should not forward messages of which you do not know the source, especially if they report news related to the coronavirus.