Coronavirus information hub for media
Additional resource: global coronavirus guide for media partners
At Meta, we’re working to keep people safe and informed about the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
We know that for our media partners, it's more important than ever to stay connected with people in the communities you serve. This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone in the world. We hope you're staying safe and we're committed to supporting you.
Keeping people safe and informed about COVID-19
Meta is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and national ministries of health to connect people with accurate information and help limit the spread of misinformation. Learn more about these efforts here. We also launched a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center on Facebook with the latest updates and tips from global and local health organizations. For the latest information, visit the WHO, UNICEF and your local ministry of health website.
Sharing health information
We are actively trying to fight false information by helping people share accurate information directly from global health authorities (WHO, UNICEF) and your local ministry of health ( CDC in the US). Here are a few key messages and suggestions for ways to share. Download the guidelines here.
1. Share the WHO’s official information
2. Encourage people to stay healthy at home
3. Share preventative health tips
4. Join the WHO #SafeHands Challenge
5. Share the ‘COVID-19 Fundraiser for WHO’ Facebook fundraiser
You can share posts from the official WHO Facebook Page.
Here are a few suggested posts to share:
Here are some healthy habits you can encourage by using the hashtag #HealthyatHome.
- Doing any activity around the house is better than none at all. Here are some physical activities you can do at home:
- Try exercise classes online
- Dance to music
- Play active video games
- Try skipping rope
- Do some muscle strength and balance training
- Regularly check your sitting posture while working from home
- Break up your sitting time and stand up while working, on the phone or watching TV
Besides the WHO’s #SafeHands Challenge, here are a few other key messages to share from the WHO and other leading health officials.
Be safe
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, when caring for the sick, before during and after you prepare food, before eating, after toilet use, when hands are visibly dirty, and after handling animals or animal waste ( WHO)
- To hand wash, use soap and water for at least 40-60 seconds ( WHO)
- When you cough or sneeze, do it into your elbow sleeve or use a tissue ( WHO)
- Avoid traveling if you have a fever and cough ( WHO)
- If you feel unwell, stay at home when possible, and call your healthcare provider ( WHO)
Be smart
- You are a health worker treating coronavirus (COVID-19) patients ( WHO)
- If you are healthy, but taking care of a person with suspected coronavirus infection ( WHO)
- If you are coughing or sneezing ( WHO)
Be kind
- It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family ( WHO)
- Show solidarity and empathy for affected people
Post a video demonstrating one of the following hand hygiene methods to Facebook and Instagram, tag 3 friends to do the same, and include the hashtag #SafeHands.
There are two ways to practice hand hygiene:
Hand rub with an alcohol-based sanitizer (at least 20-30 seconds)
Hand wash with soap and water (at least 40-60 seconds)
We’ve also developed a Facebook profile picture frame to encourage people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water. Add the #SafeHands message frame to your profile.
The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund supports the World Health Organization's global efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, help patients and frontline workers, and speed up vaccine and treatment development.
Meta is matching the first US $10 million donated.
We know every dollar counts for organizations, so 100% of what’s raised on Facebook and Instagram always goes to the benefiting organization. Consider sharing the fundraiser and invite your audience to contribute only if they’re able to.
- On Facebook, share the fundraiser to your Page
- On Instagram, add the fundraiser link in your bio or use a “Swipe Up” in Instagram Stories
Following local health guidelines
Encourage physical distancing
Post a video promoting the practice of physical distancing but be cognizant of social isolation.
Tips for physical distancing:
- Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
- Avoid any physical contact when greeting another person
- Avoid any gathering of more than 10 people
- If you can, stay home, and encourage others to stay home by using the hashtag #stayinghome
Tips for physical distancing:
- Reach out to friends and family by calling or messaging them
- Be especially mindful of older friends and family who may feel more isolated
- Be empathetic to the stress we are all experiencing at this time
Share the ‘Combat Coronavirus with the CDC Foundation’ Facebook fundraiser
Donations made to the CDC Foundation’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response support deploying emergency staffing to US public health agencies, funding medical supplies, increasing lab capacity, providing support to vulnerable communities, and much more. Meta will double donations up to $10 million, so every contribution goes even further.
To share the fundraiser:
- On Facebook, share the fundraiser to your Page
- On Instagram, add the fundraiser link in your bio or use a “Swipe Up” in Instagram Stories
Be sensitive when you share fundraisers, keeping in mind that not everyone has the means to donate.
Using product resources
Use CrowdTangle’s coronavirus resources to monitor public information
We know a lot of people are working hard to stay on top of everything happening around the coronavirus (COVID-19). Get more transparency into how information about the virus is spreading on social media with new tools from CrowdTangle. Keep track of public content from local news outlets, elected officials, health ministries and more.
- 100+ COVID-19 Live Displays broken out by countries and US states.
- Learn how to use the COVID-19 displays and how they were built.
- CrowdTangle Search, a new tool to easily search for COVID-19 information on social.
- Webinar: Using CrowdTangle for COVID-19 News Coverage.
Share the #ThanksHealthHeroes sticker
Encourage your audience to thank health workers using #ThanksHealthHeroes with an illustrated hashtag sticker. You can share it on Facebook and Instagram.
Use Thanks Health Heroes and Stay Home stickers
Help share the message of staying in to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. To start, use the hashtag #StayingHome or #StayHome. On Instagram, use the Stay Home sticker. On Facebook, use a frame for your profile picture. Here’s how to use them:
On Instagram:
- Swipe to the Instagram Camera and take a photo
- Tap the sticker icon to open the sticker tray
- Add the sticker and share to Stories, Close Friends, or Direct
On Facebook:
- Currently only available on desktop (mobile coming soon)
- Add a frame to your profile picture
Going live on Facebook and Instagram
While we all practice physical distancing, live streaming can make personal connections happen in real time. Here’s how to create that shared experience on both Facebook and Instagram Live. With live video, your community can instantly ask questions, comment, react, or just follow along.
Global coronavirus resource
As we continue to find ways to help people navigate this difficult time and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, one small step is sharing specific ways you can use Facebook and Instagram to bring people together during the crisis. We hope this resource helps you continue to inspire, educate and entertain the world.
Learn more