How to Avoid Myths and Misinformation About COVID-19

Segment Description: Christina Tan, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist, assistant commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health, shares trusted resources that clinicians can use to receive accurate and updated information about COVID-19.

Interview transcript (modified slightly for readability):

It is really important for clinicians to keep as updated as possible on the evolution of an emerging infections such as COVID-19. It's also important that clinicians trust and go to trusted sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website, for the most accurate information. We have to go to those trusted sources. Keeping yourself abreast and attuned to the most updated information is probably the most important thing that clinicians can do to help dispel myths, and also to try to eliminate stigma that might be emerging. We are concerned that we don't want to see stigma associated with certain populations. This is a virus that impacts everybody. This is not an issue that just impacts just one population or subset alone.

Whether it's related to protecting yourself against emerging infections or from your run of the mill influenza that's circulating throughout the community, it's those commonsense steps that people can take. Wash your hands frequently. Make sure that you cover your cough in your sneezes. Make sure that you stay home when you're not well. Also make sure that you call your health care provider in the event that you have concerns about your health. These are all really important steps that individuals can take. Again, because we're in the middle of flu season, we want to remind everybody get your flu shot, because that is one tool that we do have to protect against what is a common threat to us all right now.