Red Cross and influencers to crack down on false Corona claims
The Red Cross wants to tackle false claims about the coronavirus with the help of influencers. The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) wants to reach young people in particular.
A network of influencers with as many followers as possible will in future take up a message every week that clears up half-truths or false promises. Some 30 influencers with a combined two million followers are already on board, the federation reported Wednesday in Geneva.
"We run into all kinds of myths and questions, such as 'only old people get Covid-19' or 'can alcohol destroy the virus?' or 'are children immune?'" says IFRC spokesperson Ann Vaessen. Other questions involve keeping the correct distance or how to wear masks properly.
The Red Cross works with the advertising agency Billion Dollar Boy, which specializes in influencers. Each week, it presents a theme for the influencers to implement. What they make of it is approved by the agency and the Red Cross before it is posted. Everyone participates without a fee, the Red Cross emphasizes.
According to Vaessen, the influencers who are participating include Antonio Nunziata of Italy, who has just over 230,000 followers, Katie Woods of Great Britain, who has 190,000, and Neda Ghenai of the Arab Emirates, who has 116,000. (SDA)
