Renowned virologist Dr.Yong Poovorawan, also known as “Mor Yong,” recently shared his insights on the ongoing confusion surrounding COVID-19 data. Posting on his Facebook page, Dr. Poovorawan, a leading expert from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the persistent spread of misinformation and its potential to cause unnecessary panic.
“Confusion in online media regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is an crucial lesson,” Dr. Poovorawan stated.“Even today, problems persist.” He pointed to the frequent dissemination of alarming but unfounded news about new COVID-19 variants and the severity of the disease. “Some people make the news every day. Some people are not experts at this at all. This causes panic, even though it is not true,” he explained.
Dr. Poovorawan cited a recent example of misinformation circulating online. “These days,there are still people calling for advice and sending it for viewing,for example on Line or online media,that there is a new strain of COVID-19,strain B.1.1.7, which has severe symptoms. And be careful during the new year. I read it and couldn’t help but laugh. Because of the strain of the virus It was arranged from the letters ABCD and later used 2 letters. The current breed is the L and K breeds,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of verifying information and checking the dates of news articles. “When you see breed B, it means that it is a breed from 2021 or a British breed or from 3 years ago. Take the news from 3 years ago and re-release it, which is a different time and is passed on quickly,” Dr. Poovorawan explained. “Therefore, it can be seen that giving news or whatever it must also be marked with a date. I personally always adhere to the events and dates as directed. As of today’s accuracy, it may not be correct in the following year.”
dr. Poovorawan stressed the need for accuracy, particularly when discussing statistics like death rates. “For example, saying that the death rate is 1% high, which is the number from 3-4 years ago. nowadays, the death rate should be one in 10,000 of patients or infected people and are a group of 708 or more, so they cannot be compared,” he cautioned.
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic first gripped the world, a leading Thai physician reflects on the enduring challenges of misinformation and the crucial need for media literacy.
Dr. Yong poovorawan, a renowned virologist at Chulalongkorn University, recently highlighted the persistent confusion surrounding COVID-19 information. He emphasized that the early days of the pandemic were particularly fraught with misinformation, as people without scientific expertise relied on online sources and personal opinions rather than verified facts.
“People who weren’t scientists or experts in infectious diseases turned to online sources for information,” Dr. Poovorawan explained. “They shared their opinions instead of relying on facts, which created a lot of chaos, especially regarding vaccines in the early stages of the pandemic.”
As time progressed, the importance of discerning credible information became increasingly apparent. Dr. Poovorawan stressed the need for individuals to critically evaluate the media they consume and to be cautious about sharing information without verifying its accuracy.
Dr. Poovorawan’s insights serve as a reminder that even in the post-pandemic era, the battle against misinformation remains ongoing. Cultivating media literacy skills and promoting responsible information sharing are essential for navigating the complex information landscape and making informed decisions about our health and well-being.
## “Don’t Panic, Verify!”: Please wait For The Truth With Dr.Yong Poovorawan
**World Today News Exclusive interview**
With misinformation spreading like wildfire online, globally renowned virologist **Dr. Yong Poovorawan**, affectionately known as “Mor Yong”, bravely stepped forward to address the issue and quell unnecessary public panic. Dr. Poovorawan, a distinguished expert from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, spoke candidly about the ongoing confusion surrounding COVID-19 data.
**WTN:** Dr. Poovorawan, thank you for joining us today. Your recent Facebook post highlighted a critical issue: the persistent spread of misinformation regarding COVID-19. Could you elaborate on this problem and its potential consequences?
**Dr. Poovorawan:** You’re welcome. The confusion in online media regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is a valuable lesson we’ve learned. Sadly,this problem persists even today. We see daily alarming but unfounded news about new COVID-19 variants and the severity of the disease. This happens because some individuals, who are not necessarily experts, try to be newsmakers. Consequently, this leads to panic, although the information might be wholly untrue.
**WTN:** Can you provide a specific example of misinformation you’ve encountered recently?
**Dr.Poovorawan:** Yes, recently, I came across claims about a new COVID-19 strain called B.1.1.7, stating it had severe symptoms. People urged others to be careful during the new year. This information is laughably outdated!
We use letters to denote virus strains, usually progressing from A to Z.
The current strains are classified as L and K strains, indicating that B.1.1.7 is a strain from 2021 or earlier. Sharing outdated information like this creates unnecessary fear and confusion.
**WTN:** You emphasize the importance of verifying information and checking dates. What advice would you give to our readers who might be bombarded with such information daily?
**Dr. Poovorawan:** My advice is simple: always double-check your sources. Look for the date of the article or post.
Is it from a reputable source? Cross-reference information with trusted medical organizations like the WHO or CDC.
Remember, news from years ago may no longer be accurate.
information evolves rapidly, and relying on outdated data can lead to harmful misconceptions.
**WTN:** Thank you for shedding light on this important issue,Dr. Poovorawan. Your insights are invaluable in helping the public navigate the complex world of COVID-19 information.
**Dr.Poovorawan:** You’re welcome. Stay informed,stay safe,and don’t hesitate to verify!