Stay safe with true information

If you receive a text, email or phone call from someone saying they are with the government and have a coronavirus benefit check for you, do not give them any information. If the government needs your bank information they will set up a secure place online for you to enter it on a website that ends in .gov. They will not call you for information. Learn more about help from the government.

Ignore these offers and do not forward them to others. There are online quizzes to see if your symptoms match the virus, but these are not tests. There are no online tests or approved treatments or vaccinations for COVID-19. If you need a test, call your public health department.

Fake coronavirus testing sites have appeared in some cities across the USA. These services are unsafe and illegal. You can find true information about coronavirus testing on your local health department website. Find your public health department.

Some online advertisers and sellers say they have products to keep you safe from coronavirus. They offer disinfectants, masks, and other supplies. Many of these products and websites are fake. Find out how to shop safely online.

Robocalls are when you get a call from a machine that speaks to you like a person. If you hear a recorded message when you answer the phone, hang up. Do not press any numbers or give any information.

Social media is a great tool to keep us connected with our friends and family, while we are practicing social distancing. Sadly, social media is also a tool for scams and misinformation, so be very careful what you share. It is important not to repost or share anything unless you can check it is true information. You can use the power of social media for good by sharing positive messages!

There is a lot of information on the internet and social media. Not all of it is true. It can be hard to find good information in your language. Here are websites you can trust:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the main health organization for the USA. It has information about coronavirus in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other languages.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is the main health organization for the world. It has information about coronavirus in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
• The COVID-19 Health Literacy Project has factsheets in 30 languages, including information for pregnant women and children of all ages.
• The Office for Globalization in Kentucky helps new Americans. It has fact sheets about COVID-19 and social distancing in 22 languages.
• Multnomah County in Oregon has good information and videos in 24 newcomer languages. On that page you can also find cleaning information for food service and restaurants in 9 languages.

It is a difficult and frightening time. When people are scared, they sometimes turn against others. Stigma hurts everyone in the community by creating fear and division. It can cause harm to those being targeted.

We do not need to discriminate against Asian Americans, emergency and healthcare workers, people with COVID-19, or anyone else. The virus does not discriminate. No one group in the USA is more likely to get or spread COVID-19 than others.

It is very important that we all do our part to learn real information to avoid the spreading of rumors and fear that cause stigma and discrimination. We are safer if we work together!

Find information about stigma from the CDC.