KUTHLEIYN WRITES

TRUE WORDS CONTRA COVID-19

March 21, 2020

//I just revised my friend's output because he asked me so. Hahahaha. Kaya some thoughts are just the same from the one titled "Moving Facts, Countering Fear". But other statements here are not mine. Credits also to google for some informations. Hehe//

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          The whole world is passing through a period of serious crisis. Over the last few months, we are continuously hearing grave news related to Coronavirus Disease which was initially detected in Wuhan, China last December 2019 and is spreading throughout the world.

          This COVID-19 pandemic has brought a wave of panic and distress as universities close, students are dislocated, careers are disrupted, and professors scramble to cover their teaching and research obligations. The pressure is compounded by more personal concerns—feelings of social isolation, coping with family and friends who are seriously ill or at-risk, and struggling to juggle child care during school closures.

          As an individual, media help us to know the pandemic happening afound the world. Media let us to know what COVID-19 is. They show us how COVID-19 destroys and affects the life of infected,  how rampant and dangerous this said virus is which brought fear to the people.

          With the different emotions felt by the people around the world especially fear, media have a great role on easing this fear. Media give us tips on how to prevent the spreading of the said virus and help us to communicate with our love ones farther from us especially in our situation right now in which we are in community quarantine. For our emotions and health, media gives us happiness, satisfaction, and reliable information on what are happening across the country and world that can make our feeling and emotion stable and at ease. As Filipino, we cannot deny that we laugh on different memes that active online citizens made. They still manage to smile and crack jokes despite the threat that this virus is making. Even isolated at home, they were able to spread good vibes as they posted photos of them following President Duterte's message on having a tour inside their houses.

          On the other hand, as students, media help us to be connected and continue our lesson through online platforms though it is not accessible to all. 

          Despite these good things that media handed to us, it is sad to know that the disadvantages of the different platforms of informations are inevitable. On this generation where different informations can be disseminated by anyone, it cannot be stopped that some of the informations scattered today are fake. So we must be wiser and media literate enough in assessing informations and its sources.

          In dissemination of information, media's biggest hindrance is the location of the person. Not all of them can receive and access it. Though media has many forms— it can be through radio, television or internet, but all of them are dependent on signals which should be available on a certain location to access the information.

          In terms of our emotions and health, media deals a significant role on it.  Our health depends on our emotions. If we think too much, our sleeping habits will be affected that will eventually detriment our mental health. We can not deny it that most of us uses our phones from time to time especially now that the classes are suspended. If we spend too much in surfing net, we might forgot to take our meals and we sleep very late. That can weaken our immune system and will make us prone to diseases.

          Media is a powerful thing. It can connect people across the world and inspire people to achieve social change. However, we must also realize the negative implications media has on our lives especially this online platform.

          One of the great features of the unprecedented rise of the global cultures is attributed to the revolution of the internet and social media. Almost everything has become so easy and so instant. Currently, the world by which define our reality have been changed by social media. We can do anything and everything through a globally wired network that enables instant communication.

          Media and information helps every individuals to cope up in the world. Now, media is part of our daily lives and our culture.

          Potential impact of media reporting on public health activities and also the feelings of fear and concern in the public are absolutely huge. This outbreak has thrown up many challenges. Many information are passed everyday and the reporters and media users have vital obligations to responsibly report the facts and to communicate the health advices that are coming from governing bodies. The spreading of information on different platforms of media, especially online, will really make difference, either positive or its opposite. With so many people getting the information, let us put in mind to spread the genuine news and stop the fake one. 
        

          We are using the modern platform of media, the internet. Let us not compromise the welfare of everyone by unmindful spreading of fake news. Media is already in our hand. You might have sacrificed your sleep because of the fun scrolling but together, let us use these media properly and spread true words. This is the less that we can contribute amidst this pandemic as we are staying in our homes and scrolling online.