Types, Sources, and Claims of COVID-19 Misinformation

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This factsheet uses a sample of fact-checks to identify some of the main types, sources, and claims of COVID-19 misinformation seen so far. Building on other analyses (Hollowood and Mostrous 2020; EuVsDIS 2020; Scott 2020), the authors combine a systematic content analysis of fact-checked claims about the virus and the pandemic with social media data indicating the scale and scope of engagement.

The analysis concludes that misinformation about COVID-19 comes in many different forms, from many different sources, and makes many different claims. It frequently reconfigures existing or true content rather than fabricating it wholesale, and where it is manipulated, is edited with simple tools.

Source: Types, Sources, and Claims of COVID-19 Misinformation

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    Applying Principles of Behaviour Change to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

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    This paper focuses on adherence to behaviors required to reduce COVID-19 virus transmission. The authors argue that there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate interventions to promote effective enactment of these behaviors and provide a preliminary analysis to help guide this. This is relevant for the current phase of the pandemic and to reduce the risk of resurgence in months to come and of future pandemics.

    Source: Applying Principles of Behaviour Change to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

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      Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in Cities and Urban Settings

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      This document is to support local authorities, leaders and policy-makers in cities and other urban settlements in identifying effective approaches and implementing recommended actions that enhance the prevention, preparedness and readiness for COVID-19 in urban settings, to ensure a robust response and eventual recovery. It covers factors unique to cities and urban settings, considerations in urban preparedness, key areas of focus and preparing for future emergencies.

      Source: Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in Cities and Urban Settings

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        Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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        The economic and physical disruptions caused by COVID-19 could have vast consequences for the rights and health of women and girls, a new analysis by UNFPA and partners shows.

        Significant levels of lockdown-related disruption over 6 months could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives, leading to a projected 7 million additional unintended pregnancies. Six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence.

        The pandemic is also expected to cause significant delays in programs to end female genital mutilation and child marriage, resulting in an estimated 2 million more cases of FGM over the next decade than would otherwise have occurred. These delayed programs, on top of growing economic hardships globally, could result in an estimated 13 million more child marriages over 10 years.

        These figures – produced in collaboration with partners Avenir Health, Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Victoria University (Australia) – are rough estimates. A great deal is still unknown about how the pandemic, and the response to it, will unfold around the world. But together, the projections offer an alarming view of the future that could confront women and girls if efforts are not urgently made to secure their welfare and ensure their rights.

        Source: Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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          Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children

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          In this document, the Center for Global Development explains nine different pathways linking pandemics and violence against women and children. In addition, it suggests eight policy and program responses for action by governments, civil society, international and community-based organizations.

          Source: Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children

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            Gender-based violence prevention, risk mitigation and response during COVID-19

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            This briefing note aims at giving an overview of risks of gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes recommendations to mitigate risks and ensure access to lifesaving GBV services. The last section contains a list of useful resources.

            Women and girls of concern to UNHCR are likely to experience distinct challenges and risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such the outbreak might exacerbate already existing risks of GBV. Confinement is expected to increase risks of intimate partner violence for displaced women and girls, while worsened socio-economic situation will expose refugee women and girls in particular to increased risks of sexual exploitation by community members as well as humanitarian workers. In parallel, access to regular GBV services is likely to become challenging for survivors.

            Source: Gender-based violence prevention, risk mitigation and response during COVID-19

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              COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Lactation

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              MotherToBaby is a non-profit organization focused on providing risk assessments to pregnant and breastfeeding women about various exposures, including infectious disease. We have created a fact sheet on COVID-19, which is updated frequently with the latest evidence-based information for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have questions about this virus. Versions are available in both English and Spanish.

              Source: COVID-19 Fact Sheets

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                Coronavirus in Sub-Saharan Africa How Africans in 12 Nations are Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

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                GeoPoll conducted a remote study in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa on the effects coronavirus is already having on people throughout the region. The impact of the virus will have broad-reaching implications across all sectors, and while we could not cover every relevant topic in this study, we sought to use our experience conducting research for both international development groups and the consumer sector to include a wide range of topics.

                Areas that are covered in this study include:

                • Biggest concerns and perceptions of risk surrounding coronavirus
                • Preventative measures such as social distancing and handwashing practices
                • Changes in food market operability and food security
                • Changes in consumer habits, including purchasing of food and nonessential items
                • Levels of trust in governments and the commercial sector
                • Information sources on COVID-19 and changes in media consumption

                Source: Coronavirus in Sub-Saharan Africa How Africans in 12 Nations are Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

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                  Global Rapid Gender Analysis for COVID-19

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                  This report is for humanitarians working in fragile contexts that are likely to be affected by the COVID-19 crisis. It is organised around broad themes and areas of focus of particular importance to those whose programming advances gender equality and reduces gender inequalities.

                  The report seeks to deepen the current gender analysis available by encompassing learning from global gender data available for the COVID-19 public health emergency.

                  Source: Global Rapid Gender Analysis for COVID-19

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                  Systematic Literature Review on the Spread of Health-related Misinformation on Social Media

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                  In order to uncover the current evidence and better understand the mechanism of misinformation spread, the authors report a systematic review of the nature and potential drivers of health-related misinformation.

                  A total of 57 articles were included for full-text analysis. Overall, they observed an increasing trend in published articles on health-related misinformation and the role of social media in its propagation. The most extensively studied topics involving misinformation relate to vaccination,Ebola and Zika Virus, although others, such as nutrition, cancer, fluoridation of water and smoking also featured. Studies adopted theoretical frameworks from psychology and network science, while co-citation analysis revealed potential for greater collaboration across fields.

                  Source: Systematic Literature Review on the Spread of Health-related Misinformation on Social Media

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