Pages

Sunday, 1 November 2020

COVID -19 :How To Deal With Misinformation

 


Here are seven steps you can take to navigate this wave of information and decide who and what to trust:


1. Assess the source


Who shared the information with you and where did they get it from? Even if it is friends or family, you still need to vet their source. To check for fake social media accounts, look at how long profiles have been active, their number of followers and their most recent posts. For websites, check the “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages to look for background information and legitimate contact details.


When it comes to images or videos, make it a habit to verify their authenticity.


 For images, you can use reverse image search tools provided by Google and TinEye. For videos, you can use Amnesty International's YouTube DatViewer, which extracts thumbnails that you can enter into reverse image search tools.


Other clues that a source may be unreliable or inaccurate include unprofessional visual design, poor spelling and grammar, or excessive use of all caps or exclamation points.


2. Go beyond headlines


Headlines may be intentionally sensational or provocative to get high numbers of clicks. Read more than just the headline of an article – go further and look at the entire story. Search more widely than social media for information – look at print sources such as newspapers and magazines, and digital sources such as podcasts and online news sites. Diversifying your sources allows you to get a better picture of what is or is not trustworthy.


3. Identify the author


Search the author’s name online to see if they are real or credible.


4. Check the date


When you come across information, ask yourself these questions: Is this a recent story? Is it up to date and relevant to current events? Has a headline, image or statistic been used out of context?


5. Examine the supporting evidence


Credible stories back up their claims with facts – for example, quotes from experts or links to statistics or studies. Verify that experts are reliable and that links actually support the story


6. Check your biases


We all have biases, and these factor into how we view what’s happening around us. Evaluate your own biases and why you may have been drawn to a particular headline or story. What is your interpretation of it? Why did you react to it that way? Does it challenge your assumptions or tell you what you want to hear? What did you learn about yourself from your interpretation or reaction?


7. Turn to fact-checkers


When in doubt, consult trusted fact-checking organizations, such as the International Fact-Checking Network and global news outlets focused on debunking misinformation, including the Associated Press and Reuters.


Information, misinformation and disinformation


Information is what we call things that are accurate to the best of our current knowledge. For instance, COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019 and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the difficulties with any new pathogen, like this coronavirus, is that information changes over time as we learn more about the science.


Misinformation, on the other hand, is false information.


 Importantly, it is false information that was not created with the intention of hurting others. Misinformation is often started by someone who genuinely wants to understand a topic and cares about keeping other people safe and well. It is then shared by others who feel the same.


 Everyone believes they are sharing good information – but unfortunately, they are not. And depending on what is being shared, the misinformation can turn out to be quite harmful.


At the other end of the spectrum is disinformation. Unlike misinformation, this is false information created with the intention of profiting from it or causing harm. That harm could be to a person, a group of people, an organization or even a country. Disinformation generally serves some agenda and can be dangerous. During this pandemic, we are seeing it used to try to erode our trust in each other and in our government and public institutions.


How to navigate misinformation and disinformation


It helps to think of misinformation and disinformation spreading in the same way as viruses. One person might share fake news with their friends and family, and then a handful of them share it with more of their friends and family, and before you know it, potentially harmful or dangerous information is taking over everyone’s newsfeed.


But just as we can protect against COVID-19 with hand washing, physical distancing and masks, we can slow down the spread of misinformation and disinformation by practising some information hygiene. Before sharing something, ask yourself these questions:


How does this make me feel?


Why am I sharing this?


How do I know if it’s true?


Where did it come from?


Whose agenda might I be supporting by sharing it?


If you know something is false, or if it makes you angry, don’t share it to debunk it or make fun of it. That just spreads the misinformation or disinformation further. Learn more about how you can report misinformation online.


Good places to go for reliable information are the websites of your national Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization. Remember, though: information will change as we learn more about the virus.


What WHO is doing


WHO has developed guidance to help individuals, community leaders, governments and the private sector understand some key actions they can take to manage the COVID-19 infodemic.


For instance, WHO has been working closely with more than 50 digital companies and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google, Viber, WhatsApp and YouTube, to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19. WHO has also partnered with the Government of the United Kingdom on a digital campaign to raise awareness of misinformation around COVID-19 and encourage individuals to report false or misleading content online. In addition, WHO is creating tools to amplify public health messages – including its WHO Health Alert chatbot, available on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber – to provide the latest news and information on how individuals can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.


Source: World Health Organization 


Inserted by 

 Zimbabwe Online Health Centre


For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre


email :zimonlinehealthcentre@gmail.com 


Twitter :zimonlinehealthcentre 


@zimonlinehealt1


YouTube: zimbabwe online health centre


Website:www.zimonlinehealthcentre.co.zw

Top story

Prophet To "Kill" Goblin Tormenting Family. ..

 


Own Correspondent |

Controversial preacher Isaac Makomichi has claimed  a 60- year-old man from Zaka has been sleeping with his daughters unknowingly.


 On Sunday a family of seven  reportedly visited Makomichi in a bid to resolve family issues.


"The father confessed  experiencing  nightmares- sleeping with his four daughters.


He thought it was just bad dreams but it was something else.


He went to a sangoma 20 years ago seeking  charms to win lotto and he  was given a goblin instead.


This is  the reason why his daughters are having problems.


I urge everyone to be more concerned about dreams.


His daughters are also experiencing bad dreams.


I will accompany him to the sangoma to return the charm," claimed 

 Said Makomichi

Top Story 

Winding up the Book of Exodus

 


Revelation 19-40


About two months later, after leaving Egypt, the Hebrews arrived at Mt Sinai. This is where God gave them the Mosaic Covenant as a nation and instructed them in His law and ways. Moses went up on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and experienced the glory of God.  The law revealed the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man and provided guidance for right living. The Sabbath was given as the sign of the  Mosaic Covenant.


God instructed the people to build a Tabernacle where His glory/ presence could dwell on a temporary basis and where they could come to worship and receive instructions from God. Alas, while Moses was on the mountain receiving instructions from God, Aaron and the people down the mountain were busy erecting a golden calf. This idolatry attracted a severe punishment from God. 


As we concluded this book, the Tebarnacle was completed and the glory of the Lord filled it. The Hebrews spent about a year at Mt Sinai receiving the revelation from the Lord. They were being prepared to enter the promised land of Canaan in fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant. 


As your home work today, what can be your sermon or teaching outline on the relationship between the " On top of the mountain and down the mountain" Blessings.-Rev Sithole

 The Preacher's Sincere Talk

Girl (14 ) Drugged, R*ped At Birthday Bash

 


A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for drugging and raping his friend.


Mbusowenkosi Ncube of Spitzkop Medium Suburb had pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mkandla.


He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and four years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.


Ncube had appeared together with Silenkosi Ndlovu (18) also of Spitzkop Medium Suburb but Ndlovu was acquitted due to lack of evidence.


Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Ncube and Ndlovu raped the 14-year-old girl on June 28 after she had accompanied Ndlovu to his place of residence.


“On 28 June at around 2PM Ndlovu met the complainant who is his friend and asked her to accompany him to his house so that he could give her a birthday present. She agreed and when they got to his home Ndlovu gave her a 500ml bottle of 7UP drink which is suspected to have been laced with drugs and she blacked out. Ndlovu was later joined by Ncube and they took advantage and raped the complainant before releasing her to go to home,” he said.


“When the complainant got home her mother suspected that she was drunk. She questioned her daughter who narrated what had happened while at Ndlovu’s home. The complainant went to hospital for an examination and it was discovered that she had some fresh bruises on her private parts. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Ncube and Ndlovu’s arrest.”


In his defence, Ndlovu, through his lawyer Mr Themba Khumalo of Mlweli Ndlovu and Partners, said on the day in question he arrived home at around 5PM and found the complainant sleeping in his room with the door locked from the inside. He said the complainant told him that her mother had chased her away as she had arrived home drunk.


“My client didn’t enter the room where the complainant was sleeping. He had this conversation with the complainant through the window as she had locked herself inside. He didn’t at any point come into contact with the complainant or rape her. If the complainant was involved in any sexual activities it surely happened wherever the complainant went after leaving his place of residence,” he said.


In his defence, Ncube also through his lawyer Mr Khumalo said on the day in question the complainant called him using her friend’s phone and asked him to organise some beer for her which she was going to collect in the afternoon. Mr Themba Khumalo said his client never gave the complainant a 500ml 7UP drink.-Chronicle

Top story 

You’re Always There for Me

 


When the world comes crashing in

And chaos rules my mind,

I turn my heart to you, Lord,

And pure, sweet peace I find.


You lift me out of trouble

You comfort me in pain;

You nourish, heal and cleanse me,

Like cool, refreshing rain.


In times of joy and bliss,

When things are going right,

You lift me even higher,

And fill me with delight.


You listen to my prayers;

You hear my every plea;

I’m safe because I know

You’re always there for me.


By Joanna Fuchs

Education and entertainment 

Do Your Best Today

 


Psalm 118:24, NLT

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.



When we read about the heroes of faith, their lives seem so exciting, but the truth is that most of their days were routine. Moses experienced one miracle after another, but those involved only a few days of his life. Most of our days will be ordinary days with some exciting days. If you live from big event to big event, waiting for something exciting to keep you encouraged, you're going to be disappointed. 


Learn to enjoy where God has you right now. This is the day the Lord has made. It may be routine, but when you do the ordinary with a good attitude, that's getting you prepared for the new things God has in store. It's being faithful day in and day out, doing the right thing when the wrong thing is happening, staying in faith when we're not getting our way. You won't be promoted if you're not being your best where God has you right now.



"Father, thank You for this day that You have made. Thank You that I can be faithful in the ordinary and routine, knowing that You are preparing me for the new things You have in store. I'm going to keep being my best, serving, giving, and loving right where I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Editor's Critical Eye 

Be humble always

 


1. Popcorns are normally fried in the same pot, in the same oil, at the same time and under the same heat conditions,But they do not all pop at the same time. 


2. When flood comes, fish eat ants and When flood recedes, ants eat fish, Only time matters. 

3. To make soap, oil is required and to clean oil, soap is required. This is the irony of life. 


Everybody needs somebody at any one point in time. Do not despise or treat anyone with scorn when they are excelling or failing more than you. There is time for EVERYTHING and for EVERYONE.Keep TRUSTING in God and WAITING for your turn. Your time to POP will come at God's appointed time. NEVER GIVE UP! He makes all things beautiful in his own time.


_To understand what life is,  you have to visit three locations:_

*1.* The hospital, 

*2.* The prison and 

*3.* The Cemetery.


*At the Hospital,*

you will understand that nothing is more beautiful than health.


*In prison,* 

you'll see that freedom is the most precious thing.


*At the cemetary,*

you will realize that life is worth nothing, the ground we walk today will be our roof tomorrow.


Let us therefore remain humble by having the fear of God and respect for everyone in our society.


May the grace and mercy of the Almighty God follow us everyday.

Opinion/teaching 

Forgive

 


Forgive someone. Today forgive.

Turn from bitter to positive.

End frustration, anger, pain;

Wash the anguish from your brain.


No need to reconcile or tell;

Just feel better and get well.

A brand new, peaceful life to live,

That's your gift, when you forgive.


By Joanna Fuchs

Forgive

Don’t Rely On Human Approval

 


John 5:41, NLT

"Your approval means nothing to me."


Today’s Word:

It's great when people cheer us on and make us feel valuable.


 We love when a friend compliments us or a coworker helps us on a project. God uses people to help move us toward our destiny. But you can't become so dependent on people that you're trying to get your worth and value from them. It's easy to rely on them to keep you feeling good about yourself and make you feel approved.


 But if they don't give you their approval and meet your expectations, you'll feel discouraged and inferior, and you'll work overtime to try to win their approval. The problem is, you're trying to get from people what only God can give. Your value, your self-worth doesn't come from another person--it comes from your Creator. 


Jesus knew better than to rely on people. What they do or don't do doesn't determine your worth and cannot stop your purpose. Quit depending on others' approval and start approving yourself.


"Father, thank You for the people You've placed in my life to help me move to my destiny. Help me, though, not to become dependent upon their approval or try to get my value from them. I declare that I have Your approval and love, and that's all I need. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Opinion/teaching 

Play your role in The House Of God

 


Showers of blessings


Reverend N Murambadoro 


 Acts 16:32-33

 "And they declared the Word of the Lord [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and bathed [them because of their bloody] wounds, and he was baptized immediately and all [the members of] his [household]. Then he took them up into his house and set food before them; and he leaped much for joy and exulted with all his family that he believed in God [accepting and joyously welcoming what He had made known through Christ]."


The Apostles declared the Word to the jailer that is by teaching him and all that were in his house the doctrine of the LORD, they plainly pointed out to them the way of salvation. And it appears that he and his whole family, who were capable of receiving instructions, embraced this doctrine, and showed the sincerity of their faith by immediately receiving baptism. And, by the way, if he and all his were baptized straightway, immediately, instantly, at that very time. 


After receiving his salvation and baptism, the jailer served the Apostles in two ways: cleaning wounds and giving them food. Apostles served him in their capacity and in turn he served them in his capacity. 


We have an encouragement to play our roles. Every person has a role to serve. May the LORD help us to serve one another. Amen.


Blessings and Shalom 

Rev and Family

Sermon

Divine Intervention

 


Showers of blessings 


Reverend N Murambadoro


 Acts 16:29-31


 "Then [the jailer] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling and terrified he fell down before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out [of the dungeon] and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved? And they answered, Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST [give yourself up to HIM,  take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into HIS keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well."


When GOD Divinely intervened into the whole situation, people (prisoners, jail guard, Apostles) experienced great miracles.


 These miracles convicted the heart and convinced the mind of the jailer to the point that he asked the Apostles - his prisoners how he can be saved. He did not consider his position at work first, but salvation. The experience of the jailer compelled him to seek for his salvation. The Apostles' answer was simple: Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST thus give yourself up to HIM,  take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into HIS keeping and you will be saved,"


Something encouraging here is that: the jailer's job did not hinder him from his salvation. He did something that was beyond normal. At this point, everything else was not important, what mattered most was his and his family's salvation.

Brethren this is the point where we all need to come to, where nothing hinders us from our salvation. What is your situation? What is hindering you and your family to receive your salvation? May the LORD enable you to overcome your stumbling blocks to salvation this morning. Amen. 


Blessings and Shalom 

Rev and Family

Sermon

Arubi Keen To Reclaim Warriors Number 1 Jersey

 


GOALKEEPER Washington Arubi’s career-recouping move to newly formed TTM FC in South African top-flight league has given him hope that he can still reclaim his place in the national team.


Retirement is not in his scheme of things, at least for now. Just as the national team is focusing on resuming the all important Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a date against highly rated African champions Algeria, 34-year-old Aubi is focusing on resuscitating his career at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Football Club.


For a period spanning more than a decade, that is since 2004 up to 2016, Arubi was regularly part of the nation’s flagship football outfit.


Getting the vice-captain’s armband upon his arrival at TTM instantly boosted Arubi’s confidence ahead of the start of the season.


The soft spoken Sakubva-born player endured two seasons of very little game time at the Kaitano Tembo-coached SuperSport United. The star was temporarily left homeless after Matsatsantsa decided against renewing his contract.


By his own admission, life at The Swanky Boys was not rosy.


Now his latest move has brought hope of resuscitating his career and enjoying more game time. Speaking from his new base, Arubi said he feels that he has unfinished business with the Warriors.-Manica Post

Sport

Mamelodi Sundowns Too Hot For Kaizer Chiefs

 


Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns swept Kaizer Chiefs aside with a 3-0 drubbing in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon.


Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande were immediately thrown back in the Chiefs line-up after returning from suspension, while Sundowns had Thapelo Morena back from the side-lines.


Chiefs looked for an early opener when a first-time volley from Khama Billiat stinged the palms of Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango from a ball over the top of the defence.


The Brazilians recovered from the slow start towards the midway stage and had Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune acrobatically pushing Hlompho Kekana’s belter around the post.


Uncertain goalkeeping from Khune before the half-hour mark let in Shalulile who had a looping shot cleared off the line by Ramahlwe Mphahlele with the defence at sea.


Shalulile made sure ten minutes before halftime when he jumped between Daniel Cardoso and Khune to head into the far corner from a well-weighted corner-kick by Rivaldo Coetzee.


The two outfits were unchanged from the first half, as the second period got underway with the Amakhosi having their backs against the wall.


It got worse for the Soweto giants with 52 minutes played when Kermit Erasmus opened his account with a snap-shot after combining with Themba Zwane near the six-yard area.


That was also the forward’s last involvement, as a knock minutes later ended his afternoon with Lebohang Maboe whose final day hat-trick last season gave Masandawana the title introduced.


George Maluleka, who departed the Amakhosi in the middle of last season, made his long awaited debut for Sundowns in the last 20 minutes of the match.


Maluleka made his presence felt after going down in the area to earn a penalty with three minutes to go, leaving Zwane to send Khune the wrong way to extend the lead to 3-0.


Chiefs had a chance to reduce the tally in added time, but second-half substitute Keletso Sifama steered dismally wide from a gaping net as Masandawana bagged the victory.


Confirmed line-ups:


Chiefs: Khune, Frosler, Cardoso, Mphahlele, Sasman, Katsande, Manyama, Ngcobo, Billiat, Castro, Parker


Subs: Bvuma, Baccus, Ntshangase, Zulu, Ngezana, Mashiane, Blom, Sifama, Lesako


Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Lakay, Nascimento, Madisha, Jali, Coetzee, Kekana, Erasmus, Zwane, Shalulile.


Subs: Mweene, Mudau, Lebusa, Maluleka, Mvala, Modiba, Domingo, Mkhulise, Maboe-Kickoff

Sport

LOCAL NEWS

Subscribe to Newsletter

Popular Posts

© Copyright 2018 The Church News. . Powered by Magical Web Services.