Efforts aimed at tackling fake news and misinformation in this period of Covid-19 pandemic scored a positive goal as the World Health Organisation (WHO) partners WhatsApp, the easy-to-use messaging service with a potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it. This is part of the contributions of WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus.

From government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service will provide the latest news and information on coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others. It also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.

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The service can be accessed through a link (http://bit.ly/who-covid19-whatsapp) that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi” to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19. The WHO Health Alert was developed in collaboration with Praekelt.Org, using Turn (www.Turn.io) machine learning technology.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry