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Pinoy doctor among Top 100 global conversation influencers on COVID-19

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Mye Mulingtapang, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/05/06/melvin-sanicas.jpg"/><figcaption>Dr. Melvin Sanicas is on the 93rd spot in the Top 100 Healthcare Professionals influencing the Coronavirus conversation according to Onalytica. Photo courtesy of Sabin Vaccine Institute</figcaption></figure></div>A Switzerland-based Filipino doctor has been named by one company as among top 100 &quot;influencers&quot; on global COVID-19 conversations online for his active role in disseminating facts about the new disease through social media. Dr. Melvin J. Sanicas, a vaccinologist based in Zurich, made it to the Onalytica&#x27;s list of Top 100 Healthcare Professionals influencing the Coronavirus conversation.The public health physician specializing in vaccines and infectious diseases is on the 93rd spot.As health organizations around the world tried to get a handle on the conversation and communication element of the current healthcare crisis, Onalytica combed through all of the information and disinformation.For his part, Sanicas credits several apps for helping national authorities know where COVID hot spots are, identify the new symptoms to look out for, and capture the multiple dimensions of the pandemic.&quot;Citizen science is important not only to enhance our understanding of the pandemic locally, nationally or regionally, but also to improve our responses,&quot; he said.Science and technology have become allies in the war against the virus. The physician-scientist highlights the role of science and technology in addressing the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.Social media platforms have also allowed people to donate to nonprofits helping respond to COVID-19, and made it easier for people as well to advocate for individuals and organizations that need help.&quot;Facebook has introduced a &#x27;COVID-19 Information Center&#x27; on its main social network. Google Search provides an SOS Alert, new knowledge panels, and an information and resources center for COVID-19. YouTube features information from health authorities in many countries. Twitter presents Coronavirus Tweets from news media and from authorities. And Facebook-owned WhatsApp announced it has given financial support to the International Fact-Checking Network in its fight against COVID-19 misinformation,&quot; Sanicas noted.According to Sanicas, fake news spreads faster and can be more dangerous.At a time when misinformation is calling into question the validity of facts, the world also needs better science communication －including higher-quality science reporting by the mass media.As citizens and stakeholders of different interests come and speak, the opportunity must be seized to open science even more to dialogue with society, he said.&quot;We are learning more and more each day about SARS-CoV-2 and how it spreads, but it may take months for us to responsibly answer all of our questions. In times of crisis, it is very important to build trust. Be honest about what you know – and don’t know,&quot; said Sanicas.Since the start of the pandemic, Sanicas has been firm that people need information from sources with expertise and they need updates at regular intervals.If inaccurate information is shared, experts need to correct quickly to ensure that trust is maintained. Ignoring rumors and hoping that they disappear is a poor course of action, especially in a crisis, he said.&quot;In an ongoing pandemic, there are lots of unknowns. We will sometimes get it right, and we will often get it wrong. But it is best to be as transparent as possible,&quot; Sanicas said.Debunking misinformation in this digital age is a collective responsibility, and authentication of facts is a necessity, he stressed.Sanicas&#x27; tips on how to sift through information and differentiate misinformation from the credible ones include the following:- If the information is not attributed or linked to the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) or your local Department of Health (DOH) or Ministry of Health, treat the information with suspicion. - When you see social media posts that obviously incite fear or are just too reassuring or comforting to be true, be suspicious and verify.- I recommend this site to learn skills to help you sort fact from fiction on the <a href="https://infodemic.blog/">web</a>. This COVID-19 pandemic and the infodemic that comes with it require fast, regular, coordinated action from multiple sectors of our society, the social media technology platforms, the medical and scientific community, and the governments.Sanicas reminds everyone that people should come together, and communications from scientists and decision-makers need to reflect this.

A Switzerland-based Filipino doctor has been named by one company as among top 100 "influencers" on global COVID-19 conversations online for his active role in disseminating facts about the new disease through social media.

A Switzerland-based Filipino doctor has been named by one company as among top 100 "influencers" on global COVID-19 conversations online for his active role in disseminating facts about the new disease through social media.

Pinoy doctor among Top 100 global conversation influencers on COVID-19

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Pinoy doctor among Top 100 global conversation influencers on COVID-19

Mye Mulingtapang,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 06, 2020 01:19 PM PHT

|

Updated May 06, 2020 01:23 PM PHT

Read More:

Coronavirus updates

Melvin Sanicas

COVID-19 facts

social media

COVID-19 information

Pinoy scientist

Balitang Global

ANC

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