Because COVID-19 is something new, we don’t know much about it. As scientists and doctors learn more about this strain of coronavirus daily, the information that we get seems to always be changing. This makes it really easy for people either out of naiveté or malice to confuse us with wrong information. While that is bad enough, in our confusion we might pass on wrong and potentially harmful information to others which only makes matters worse.
It is imperative that we check where our information is coming from. We should rely on credible reports from trusted news outlets and/or health agencies – usually such articles provide sources for their information. We should be very hesitant to share things like memes (usually a words on top of an interesting picture) that offer quick “cures” and posts that seek to undermine legitimate reports or sources.
Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” God is telling us that we need to be careful about the words that we speak, because by spreading false information (even if unintentionally), we might be putting other people’s lives at risk. While this is always true, at this moment we must be even more vigilant about the words and ideas we share.
Thankfully one thing we know for certain, and can share without an ounce of worry, is that “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1). So let us do all we can to avoid spreading potentially damaging information, and instead eagerly share the comforting knowledge of God’s love.