How to Stay Informed in a World of Uncertainty

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

In this time, there is a great deal of fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 situation. News agencies, governments, and global authorities are throwing out all kinds of data, speculations, and potential scenarios. This kind of information overload makes thinking rationally and being optimistic incredibly difficult. The main lesson here then is to know which resources to consult, have a limit on media exposure, and ultimately maintain an optimistic outlook.

What Resources to Consult

The most important thing to during this time is to know what resources to consult and give credence to. While it can be tempting to wish to have some inside knowledge or wisdom that is not public knowledge, it is not worth putting one’s trustworthiness at risk and spreading unnecessary fear or panic.  Among one of the most important resources to consult would be the Centers for Disease Control or the CDC. Here is their website and resources on COVID-19. This website will give you the most up to date procedures, statistics, and guidelines during this time. Additionally, one should understand their state regulations and consult their individual state government’s website. California’s state website has some good information and resources on their website. California’s government website on COVID-19. Another important source to consult would be a reputable national news agency. The ultimate goal here is to avoid spreading harmful or false gossip that one saw on Instagram, heard from a friend of a friend, or saw on a sketchy new site.

Limit Your Media Exposure

While this may seem like a misnomer, there is a lot of validity and application here. Constant exposure to the news can lead to a sense of fear and overwhelming responsibilities. The news is going to be constantly pushing whatever is most popular. At this moment that would be all of the terrible things going on in the world and the spread of a disease. Furthermore, every news agency is not fact checked or under intense scrutiny. Therefore, whatever is published does not have to be inherently true but rather engaging and interesting. Thus, one should be careful to limit their consumption of news and media to only that which is truly helpful and credible.

Maintain Positivity

One of the most important things to do in this time is to remain optimistic. This is the kind of energy which will fuel change, progress, and eventual triumph during this time. This is a core attribute of those who work so hard to curb the spread and flatten the curve during this time. Those in the medical field are not sitting around but rather facing this head-on and taking active steps to help those around them. Right now, is not the time to be selfish or think of how we can better prepare ourselves. Instead now is the time which will define us in how we serve others around us. While Netflix, YouTube, and gaming are probably dominating our lives right now one great media source that has just popped up is “Some Good News” hosted by John Krasinski also known as “Jim” from The Office. Here is the link for some positive news. The first episode already has over 13 million views and over a million subscribers on the newly formed show.

One Final Point

Overall, it is of the utmost importance during this time that we know what resources to consult, limit any unnecessary media exposure, and maintain a positive attitude. Even so, we should ask how we can help our community during this time. This could be the simplest of things such as buying groceries for a shut-in in the community, mowing the lawn for a neighbor, or helping the brave men and women in our local medical facilities by supplying face masks or other much needed supplies. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”