Essay: The Role of Media and Communication in Public Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In December 2019, in a matter of weeks, a new pathogen emerged that triggered the largest global health crisis to date. The SARSCoV2 virus causes a coronavirus disease that the World Health Organization (WHO) has named COVID19. As the infection spreads rapidly around the world, public concern is growing, and several unknown facts about this new pathogen have created panic. The media has become a major source of information about the novel coronavirus. Like the past SARS (2003), swine flu (2009), and MERS (2012) epidemics, the media also contributed greatly to the spread of Corona 19 infodemia. This review analyzes the role of media and communication in public health from December 31, 2019 to July 15, 2020, and draws scientific conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights a number of social, cultural and economic challenges arising from the controversial role of the media. Ethnic bias surrounding the virus’ origins has prevented scientists from working together to find a solution. Media coverage of coronavirus news during geographic isolation, extended quarantine, and financial and social hardships has caused fear and psychological distress. Domestic violence and the rise of the elderly. Unscientific and untested drugs approved by politicians and fake doctors have been proven to be harmful. Media has played a global role in tracking coronavirus-related diseases and updating information in real time via dashboards. The media has enabled the rapid and widespread dissemination of public health information by enabling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to act in a timely manner. We have seen a trend to promote healthy lifestyles and hygiene worldwide by adopting safer hygiene practices such as more frequent hand washing, use of facial coatings and social distancing. The media reinforced daily disease prevention recommendations and encouraged people to use telemedicine to meet their medical needs. Media plays an important role in today’s world and can provide a single platform for all public health communications, comprehensive health education guidelines, and strong social distancing strategies while remaining socially connected. This can ensure equal access to health care and end discrimination and social stigma. The role of media and communication in public health must be understood and explored as it will be an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 and future coronavirus outbreaks. serious breathing problems. In December 2019, the virus was discovered in Wuhan, China, where live bats and wild animals were sold (Shereen et al., 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. (WHO, 2020). The emergence of COVID-19 in Nigeria and the increasing number of cases across the country has drawn media attention. The disease began as an epidemic in Wuhan and has escalated into an epidemic that wreaks havoc on the world. Countless people have died in other parts of the planet. The World Bank and IMF have acknowledged that many countries have entered a recession that could escalate into the largest recession in history (Centers for Disease Control in Nigeria, 2020). On February 27, 2020, the first case of the virus was detected in Lagos, Nigeria. On February 25, 2020, the index case arrived from Milan, Italy via Lagos International Airport, where no appropriate precautions were taken to isolate and/or quarantine new migrants entering from an endemic area. Due to widespread public awareness of the virus and hardware and test labs, more cases have been discovered. Most of the victims were politicians and senior civil servants. Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Buhari; Health Governors of Bauchi, Kaduna and Oyo States; And the chief of the country’s auditor and the director of the Immigration Office were present. However, these elites noted that their refusal to follow public health recommendations for social distancing and 14-day self-isolation inevitably resulted in contact and contamination of contacts. One of the main reasons for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States is that people have not maintained social distancing. (WHO, 2020). To stop the spread of the disease, authorities have had to take strong measures, including limiting movement, compulsory wearing of masks and bans on gatherings. All international flights to and from Nigeria were banned on 23 March 2020. However, this action was taken too late, as many returnees have already assimilated into the community. Inevitably there was complete isolation and citizens were expected to stay at home. Media has played an important role in the dissemination of information and communication. Human life and existence depend on communication. It is the exchange of meaning and the exchange of ideas, perspectives, information and experiences between people and nations. Social media and online newspapers are important tools for disseminating information to the masses and are effective propaganda tools. For Nigeria, this is a double-edged sword as technology gives residents quick access to information. On the other hand, the same tool spreads misinformation and sends misleading messages to citizens. As the pandemic hampered global activity, citizens turned to online newspapers and other social media for information. The implementation of the government’s quarantine policy to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus has raised its status. This raises a fundamental question. What role do online newspapers play in informing and disinforming the general public about the COVID-19 pandemic? Punch Newspaper and Premium Times are two online publications that will be investigated in this qualitative study.