Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): The Impact and Role of

Mass Media During the Pandemic

Introduction:
The main objective of this study is to determine the impact and role of mass
media during the pandemic. Mass media, a technology that is intended to reach a mass
audience. It is the primary means of communication used to outreach the vast majority
of the general public. The most common platforms of mass media are newspapers,
magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. The reason why I am interested in this
topic is that it expands the knowledge of every people in the world and it obtains the
information that can help in preventing themselves from the coronavirus disease.
Body:
COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not
previously been seen in humans. Because it is a new virus, scientists are learning more
each day. Although most people who have COVID-19 have mild symptoms, COVID-19
can also cause severe illness and even death. Some groups, including older adults and
people who have certain underlying medical conditions, are at increased risk of severe
illness.
“As of now, researchers are aware that when an infected person coughs or
sneezes. The new coronavirus is spread by droplets released into the air. Generally, the
droplets do not move more than a few feet, and in a few seconds, they fall to the ground
(or on surfaces), which is why physical distance is effective in preventing spread. In
December of 2019, COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, a city in China. Although the precise
source of this latest coronavirus is still being tracked by health authorities, early
assumptions were that it could be related to the seafood market in Wuhan, China. Viral
pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus was developed by some people who visited
the market. A research that came out on Jan. 25, 2020, states that on Dec. 1, 2019, the
person with the first reported case became ill and had no connection to the seafood
industry. Investigations on how this virus originated and spread are underway” (Johns
Hopkins Medicine, 2021).
According to World Health Organization (2021), there have been 102,942,987
confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2,232,233 deaths and to in the Philippines, a
total of 508,721 cases with 467,820 (91.96%) recoveries, 30,075 (5.91%) active cases,
and 10,826 (2.13%) deaths. This data was given with the way of using the media
technologies that reaches a large audience via mass communication. It can be
transmitted via media such as films, recorded music, radio, or television.
 In today's world, mass media has an important function and can provide a unified
forum for all public health messages, detailed recommendations for health education,
and robust methods for social distancing while still maintaining social connections. It will
encourage equal access to healthcare, end discrimination and stigmatization of society.
It is important to recognize and further explore the role of the media and public health
communications, as they will be an essential tool for combating COVID-19 and future
outbreaks.
Role of mass media
1.1 Campaign against the deadly Evil COVID-19
It was the month of January that the world was unexpectedly exposed to an
unknown life-threatening virus with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, and this
deadly secret enemy took many lives around the globe in a single stroke of glimpse,
raising the tensions of WHO and health societies around the globe. After examining the
COVID-19 Health communities around the world purposed several Preventions and
precautions How one can kept Safe himself amid of this ‘Corona Kal’ WHO and health
communities prescribed “Maintain Social Distancing” “Wash Your hands frequently with
soaps and sanitizers” “Avoid Public or Mass Gatherings” etc.
By running a campaign over their portfolio platforms in the form of writings and
spreading every bit of proposed precautions and preventive measures against COVID-
19 among the public, Mass Media played an important role here. Mass and social media
are calling for the protection and maintenance of the proposed preventive steps by the
means of Acts, Ads, etc.
1.2 Put Forward the Accurate Research and Data-
Mass Media is a powerful tool and source that defines how the world and
ourselves are experienced, and how we view ourselves as a conscious person plays an
important role in research and data. Over time, broadcasting data and analysis work
have made us aware of the status of COVID-19. The human beings are obviously social
creatures, so it is not strange that there would be no air of rumors and misconceptions.
Too many myths and rumors confronted the masses in the midst of that bitter time.
However, by discouraging false information, the mass media acted successfully and
carried out the most possible and reliable information related to the COVID-19. Some
outlets such as YouTube, Facebook, and YouTube etc. have created substantial rumors
and misinformation for their self-oriented goals, becoming a serious concern for
government and health authorities, but other mass media platforms are posing reliable
and accurate research related to COVID-19 and other problems, providing us with every
single status when the treatment approaches the treatment. What are the trial patterns,
what are the relevant findings and conclusions that trial authorities and health societies
have put forward? What are the possibilities and does the knowledge come and
broadcast on each single front of research mass media?
1.3 Emergence of Social Startups and voluntarily works-
 By projecting social start-ups and operating willingly, Mass Media enables
individuals to light a lamp of hope. Collectively, people came forward and founded
multiple start-ups to provide essential items such as food, water to raise public
awareness, etc. Start-ups made portfolios to provide the best of deadly virus-related
knowledge such as the Close Medical Care Center, the Near Quarantine Center,
Incumbent Drugs, etc. Some social startups came with an appeal to allow individuals to
uphold proper standards and practices while remaining in the ventures of their home,
creative ideas and virtual competitions and other student learning works.

Impact of Social Media Regarding Covid-19

Social media coverage and public opinions had produced significant results.
Airlines interstate transportation by any means got stopped due to the impact of social
media coverage. 
The important policies and concepts put forward by different experts from the
medical, economic and other sectors are shared by social media and mass media
platforms and played a medium role to carry the voice of many to the ears of
government and articulated bodies. This resulted in significant outcomes urging the
government to shape policies and structures, taking into account public opinion
concerns. The government recently announced the conduct of the NEET-2020 test, but
people opposed it, and the Tamil Nadu government came forward with people's views
and declined to conduct the examination.
Similar pictures of public opinion put forward by Mass media amid the
immigration of workers showing their griefs and pathetic conditions before the
government and accounting this situation government runs the trains and public
transportation for the public means. 
Before many poor and social media raised their voice before the government and
appealed to any single issue put forward by citizens in front of the government, there
was a similar problem of jobs and medical and a question of living, and the government
notably listened and replied with suitable solutions such as projecting stimulus package
and other placating policies. The government provides rural labor with employment by
means of MANREGA and by other means.
 Conclusion:
In the final analysis, I would conclude that for people around our world, the
position and influence of mass media during the pandemic is very significant and
fascinating. For that, the opportunity and knowledge about what to do, what to know,
and how to avoid the outbreak or the continuation of coronavirus spread has been given
to everyone.

References:
 World Health Organization. (2021, February 2). Philippines: WHO Coronavirus
Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard. https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/ph/

 What Is Coronavirus? (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved February 2,

2021, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-
diseases/coronavirus

 Anwar, A., Malik, M., Raees, V., Anwar, A. (2020, September 1). Role of Mass
Media and Public Health Communications in the COVID-19 Pandemic. PubMed
Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7557800/#:
%7E:text=Mass%20media%20has%20an%20imperative,while%20still
%20maintaining%20social%20connections.

 Kumar, D. (2020, September 3). “The Impact and Roles Of Mass Media During
the Pandemic.” International Journal of Research (IJR).
https://internationaljournalofresearch.com/2020/09/03/the-impact-and-roles-of-
mass-media-during-the-pandemic/