As the world is currently going through a major crisis due to Covid 19, communication and passing of key information has made their way through social media. Never in history, has communicating across the world been so easier, had it not been for these social media platforms. It’s nice to see that people have started using it quite responsibly, passing necessary information about doctors, vaccines, and updates about the virus. Besides, social media has also become an offbeat news platform across the world with people capturing ground-level realities and sharing them with others. 

Hence, in many different ways, social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and others are helping people all over the world during this deadly pandemic. 

If you’re wondering how then let’s take you through this. Let’s delve a little more to know how social media has helped during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Updates about Cases, Virus and Vaccines 

In this era of social media, everyone is a part of platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or Twitter. And, ever since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, people have resorted to social media for an endless number of reasons. Besides, the overall time spent on these platforms has increased. But the content that catches the most attention is news and updates related to the pandemic. 

The rapid dissemination of information about the virus and its spread holds a major portion of how social media is helping in this pandemic. Plus, educating people about the virus across the world through infographics and videos on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube has turned quite popular. 

From health organizations like W.H.O to frontline workers, sharing details about the virus has helped many. Now, with the vaccines available, social media platforms are helping people with information related to registration, the effectiveness of the vaccine, and many other details with regards to it. Truly, these platforms have become the news hub for all virus-related info. 

Fund Raising and Donating for the Cause 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, many people all over the world have been burdened with a financial and economic crisis. Moreover, underdeveloped countries have had to look for external help for managing their health infrastructure. Social media came to the rescue here and helped people spread information regarding the food, shelter, and health crisis globally. 

Wondering how? NGOs, healthcare volunteers, and many social organizations took to social media platforms to reach out to needy people and raised awareness about them. These aid groups have been organizing fundraisers to collect donations to provide essentials to them. Moreover, through these platforms, NGO-like organizations are also encouraging other people to come forward and donate to the Covid-19 cause as well. Well, it’s quite evident that social media emerged as a key communicating space to help those in need during this crisis. 

Connecting Families and Friends 

Tough times during the Covid-19 pandemic also included a lockdown. People confined to their houses for days and months did create a lot of stir, especially on social media platforms. To put it simply, most resorted to social media for entertainment and connecting to friends and families. Frequent video calls, work from home, online meetings became quite a trend. Truly, social media platforms became a boon for many; especially for those, whose families live cross-borders or in a distant city. 

That’s not all! It also helped in connecting people for help. Several people reached out to NGOs via their WhatsApp numbers during emergencies. Platforms like Twitter also turned out to be helpful in a similar way. 

Influencing People and Offering Entertainment

Not just connecting with family and friends, social media also allowed people to showcase their talent. Alongside, it aided businesses to market their products and organizations to spread awareness about Covid-19. Be it Instagram or TikTok, several users resorted to these social media apps for entertainment purposes. From making dance/dramatic videos to cooking and DIYs, these apps/sites created quite a stir during the pandemic. Remember the trending Dalgona Coffee and TikTok challenges! We’re sure most of you must have tried and enjoyed these. 

Not just that! Lockdown put a pause on several small businesses. So, many small-scale business people and entrepreneurs took to social media to promote their brand. Even several new businesses emerged and social media eventually became the hotspot of marketing the products. 

Apart from all these, influencers and celebrities also took to social media sites to pass on information, extend help and entertain people in different ways. Needless to say, these social media sites are not just spreading Covid-19 related awareness but also entertaining people during this lockdown. Trying to keep people happy and mentally well in these trying times. 

Connecting with Doctors/Healthcare Experts

With passing days and months, the world has been affected by the first and second waves of SARS-Coronavirus. Because of this, hospitals and health centers are jammed packed with patients. However, several patients affected by the virus are treated in isolation at their homes. Here, social media apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Telegram became mediums to connect with doctors and health experts. 

That’s not all! Even health care organizations like W.H.O and N.H.S reached out to doctors and medical experts to talk and educate common people about the virus through these mediums. Numerous interviews, podcasts, and videos have been released on social media sites to explain more about the virus and its mutants. From the discussion of symptoms to effects of the virus, many doctors have come forward on social media to share valuable information related to the SARS-Coronavirus. Besides, some doctors have even started online consultations for ailments other than COVID-19 to help people recover at home. 

From educating people, extending aid to the needy, connecting families and friends, positive influencing to connecting to doctors, social media has helped in many ways. However, it also had pitfalls, as there are hoax information and widespread rumors shared by many. It sometimes tends to bring in a lot of negative feelings, however, we should focus on the positives and see how much awareness and help these platforms have brought to us for over a year now.

This is how social media has helped during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we hope that all of you will also extend your assistance in this fight. Additionally, safeguard others via social media in the above-mentioned ways. 

Also, remember to share information on social media platforms responsibly. Pass on only credible information. Most importantly talk to a healthcare professional in case of doubts and questions. 

Stay safe and stay home as much as possible!

 

More to read:

All that You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccine and Why You Should Get Vaccinated