Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, what we know and understand about the virus continues to change rapidly. And as healthcare and medical experts learn more and share their up-to-date findings, many people are struggling to keep up with the influx of information and frequent changes to guidelines.
The first step to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to streamline your list of go-to resources and only focus on reputable organizations and news sites. This will help you get the facts you need to stay safe and continue on with your life in the new normal.
To help get you started, we put together the list below:
BEST SITE FOR UP-TO-DATE GLOBAL INFORMATION
World Health Organization (WHO)
Here, you can find everything from the latest number of global COVID-19 cases to information on how vaccines are developed and how they work. There’s even a mythbusters section where the organization debunks COVID-19 misinformation with easy-to-understand infographics.
BEST SITE FOR UP-TO-DATE U.S. INFORMATION:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
If you want to focus solely on what’s happening in the U.S., bookmark this site for all the up-to-date information you’ll need to protect yourself and your family including safety guidelines, travel recommendations and information on where you can get vaccinated in your area.
The site even includes simple scientific updates on topics like variants. “Viral infections are challenging because they mutate so rapidly,” says Wendy Yeh, M.D., senior vice president of clinical research at Vir Biotechnology, a company developing product candidates for COVID-19 and other viruses. Staying current on the science can be helpful in case you need to make medical decisions for yourself or your loved ones. “Education is extraordinarily important,” notes Dr. Yeh. “Not just for COVID-19, but for any healthcare decisions or challenges you may be facing.”
BEST SITES FOR UP-TO-DATE LOCAL INFORMATION:
While it’s important to know what’s happening with COVID-19 at a global and national level, it’s also beneficial to get the most recent information for your local area. To begin your search, use the CDC’s “county check” feature. You can also visit USA.gov to find your state’s department of health website.
BEST SITE FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO AFRICAN AMERICANS:
COVID. KNOW MORE (NAACP)
As we all well know, the battle against the spread of COVID-19 as well as the pandemic’s long-term health implications and unprecedented economic setbacks has severely impacted America’s most vulnerable communities, including African Americans.
To ensure African Americans stay informed and get the facts they need to make the best decisions for their families and communities, the NAACP recently launched the “COVID. KNOW MORE” site. This comprehensive online hub includes information like stats and educational resources that are specifically curated for the African American community. We especially like their easy-to-understand vaccine comparison chart.
Lastly, while social media can be a healthy outlet for connecting with others and escaping the pandemic burnout, it’s not the best or most reliable source for COVID-19 information. The goal is to arm yourself with facts and relevant data so that you can feel empowered to make the best decisions for you and your family.
This article is brought to you by VIR Biotechnology.
