In the wake of COVID-19 fake news and misinformation are slowly becoming a big issue across the globe. India is turning to WhatsApp, to create awareness about the pandemic coronavirus. It has also urged social media to tackle and stop the spread of misinformation on their respective platforms using Whatsapp Chatbot. Along with that, there’s confusion and misinformation about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), how it spreads, and what are the symptoms of the infected persons.
To tackle all this, The Indian Government and WHO both have their own WhatsApp chatbot that can be accessed by anyone looking for the correct information about the pandemic virus.
Here’s how you can easily and quickly contact Whatsapp Chatbot.
Indian Government’s WhatsApp Chatbot
Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, said on Saturday that citizens in the country could text Hi or Namaste to Whatsapp bot called “MyGov Corona Helpdesk.” And get instant answers to their queries on coronavirus such as its symptoms and how they could seek help.
Sharing correct information, avoiding incorrect panic.
Here is an effort by WhatsApp and @mygovindia to ensure you receive accurate and verified information on Coronavirus.
Please click on this link https://t.co/REabfIp5QT or send Hi on +919013151515. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/0maqUE3PvG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2020
This Whatsapp Chatbot is created by the Indian Government to spread awareness about the widespread coronavirus in India.
You can access the chatbot by only adding “+919013151515” to your WhatsApp contacts. After adding the contact, you just have to a Hi to the chatbot. This chatbot will respond in very quickly with the list of questions and methods to follow to get information about the virus. This WhatsApp chatbot even includes professional advice from the directors of AIIM.
Moreover, the bots show up links and phone numbers that users can use if they need more information or any help. However, if you don’t want to add the chatbot to your contact list, you can simply click this link (from your smartphone) to send messages directly to the number without actually saving it.
WHO WhatsApp Chatbot
The World Health Organisation also has a WhatsApp chatbot that can be accessed by adding “+41798931892” to your contact list. The chatbot offers information such as the current number of COVID-19 cases in the world. It also features ways to protect yourself from the virus, news, travel advice, and many more. Moreover, it also has a myth busters section, which is handy to have because there’s a lot of random information circulating on the internet. You can click on this link (from your phone) to send messages directly to the chatbot without the hassle of saving numbers.
Using these verified chatbots with solid pieces of information to the globe is an excellent idea by both the Indian Government and the World Health Organization (WHO). WhatsApp’s massive penetration in the social media market, especially in India and globally. It makes it ideally positioned to be an excellent tool for both the authorities to ensure that fake news and panic doesn’t spread among the peoples worldwide. You should try accessing these chatbots and see the available information. Also, make sure you stay quarantined (if any) and wash your hands frequently and properly.
