Coronavirus (COVID-19): Stay at Home, Stay Informed

By Ashley Jones

As communicators, we know the power that words carry. We understand that when used correctly, words have the inimitable power to inform and inspire. But, we know all too well, when used carelessly, words can have just as much of a dangerous impact.

“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.

During this time of confusion and distress, we want to provide our members with information and resources from media outlets we trust most.

A Message from PRSA National

A massive amount of COVID-19 related information is being delivered to all of us from hundreds of sources at an unprecedented pace. The role of public relations professionals as advocates for truth, accuracy and transparency in accordance with the PRSA Code of Ethics is integral to our daily practice but especially crucial in times of crisis.

Current circumstances offer an opportunity for us to be part of the solution. Our expertise can help drown out the din and assist communities in deciphering facts from fiction. The World Health Association (WHO) says there is an “infodemic,” and with the abundance of information comes the danger that this could overwhelm people to the point they begin to tune out just when they most need to be informed.

PRSA and the PRSA Health Academy believe the best work we can do is to simplify the process and direct people to reliable, credible information resources. As a result, they’ve created the INFOdemicRx infographic (below) that depicts a simple, three-action-steps guide to help consumers and communities find the information they need amidst conflicting claims, hype, misinformation, disinformation and information overload.

Where to Get Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak – World Health Organization

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the PR Industry

Live Updates: Tracking How Coronavirus is Impacting Brands and Agencies – AdWeek
COVID-19’s New Normal: PR Pros Busy Crafting Messages – PR News
Coronavirus Compels Telecommuting, travel limits for media – AP News
Producing a Virtual Event? Keep These 3 Things in Mind – Inc.
8 Tips to Make Working from Home Work for You – NPR
How the Coronavirus is Already Rewriting the Future of Business – Harvard Business School
Managing Employee Stress and Anxiety During the Coronavirus – Psychology Today
How CEOs Are Communicating to Consumers During the Coronavirus Outbreak – Forbes
COVID-19: How Businesses Are Handling the Crisis – Institute for Public Relations
Coronavirus Briefing: Employers Are the Most Trusted Source for CV19 Info – PRWeek

Stay Connected: Webinars to Tune Into

PRSA Health Academy Section
- You’ve Got This! Build a Social Media Presence to Align Message with Market
  - Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  - 3PM ET
  - Register here.
PR News
- Communicating About COVID-19 — Navigating a New and Uncertain Crisis
  - Wednesday, March 25, 2020
  - 1PM-2PM ET
  - Register here.
Ragan and PR Daily
- Crisis Communications Virual Conference: Managing Communications Through Coronavirus
  - Tuesday, March 31 2020
  - 11AM-4PM ET
  - Register here.
PRSA
- Principles of Effective Crisis Response
  - Available now. Access here.