Best 6 Coronavirus Online Resources

As we enter the era of the new coronavirus, the internet is abuzz with COVID-19 stats, stories, guidelines, and tips. 

So far, only a handful of the world’s pandemics have emerged during the Information Age.¹ With this unprecedented information access, how do you know which sources to trust during a global health emergency? 

Keep an eye on nationally recognized public health experts and organizations. And when you spot fishy claims, check original sources. Hint: a “.gov” site is usually more reliable than a viral tweet, whether the person posting flaunts that precious blue checkmark or not.

Best Coronavirus Resource Sites

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• WhiteHouse.gov
• Johns Hopkins University & Medicine (JHU)

Where to Get the Facts on COVID-19

We compiled a list of top-notch coronavirus resources alongside reasons you can trust them. 

Their sites offer COVID-19 health tips, research, national/international updates, and stats. While exact numbers for US COVID-19 cases and deaths are virtually impossible to find, these organizations will have the closest figures. 

Streamline your daily scrolling by checking in with these sites first. While you’re at it, tap “follow” on their social accounts so the latest updates come straight to your feed.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Visit the CDC site for practical COVID-19 tips on protecting yourself and your family, social distancing, US travel, symptoms, and when to get tested.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading US public health institute and federal health protection agency. The CDC safeguards against disease-born threats to health, safety, and security.²

Federal websites like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, and White House currently route you to the CDC for COVID-19 public health resources and guidance.

• CDC: Coronavirus Cases & Latest Updates
• CDC: Coronavirus How to Prepare
• CDC: Coronavirus Symptoms & Testing
• CDC: Coronavirus Travel
• CDC: Coronavirus FAQ

2. World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is a good resource for your practical COVID-19 health and safety questions. It also releases daily situation reports about global updates, case numbers, and death stats.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations public health agency, leading international health efforts since 1948. WHO partners with countries, international organizations, academia, and research institutions to combat diseases.³ 

• WHO: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak page
• WHO: Coronavirus Situation Reports
• WHO: Coronavirus Myth Busters
• WHO: Coronavirus Q&A
• WHO: COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund

3. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Check in with the NIAID for the nation’s latest scientific research on COVID-19. Scroll down to the “What’s New” section for the latest news releases and NIAID Now Blog.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is an arm of the US medical research agency, the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIAID researches diseases, whether infectious, immunologic, or allergic.⁴ 

During the pandemic, most of the NIH’s latest COVID-19 research and news releases will funnel in from the NIAID.

• NIAID: Coronaviruses Overview
• NIH: Coronavirus Updates (includes NIAID research)

4. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Check the FDA site for official updates on US efforts to diagnose, prevent, and treat COVID-19.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety of our national food supply and efficacy of our drugs and medical devices.⁵

The FDA fights infectious diseases by regulating and expediting medical countermeasures. Think vaccines, diagnostic tests, drugs, and personal protective equipment (like masks, respirators, medical gowns, and gloves). 

• FDA: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• FDA: Coronavirus FAQ
• FDA: Fraudulent Coronavirus Products

5. WhiteHouse.gov

Visit the White House website for federal news on COVID-19-related bills, executive orders, and other announcements.

The White House website offers quick access to national communications from the presidential office.

• White House: Coronavirus Guidelines for America
• White House: All News, Remarks, Articles, Presidential Actions, Briefings & Statements

6. Johns Hopkins University & Medicine (JHU)

Check out the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center for recent COVID-19 research findings from experts in public health, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness.

Johns Hopkins University ranks as one of the top universities in the world.⁶ It’s known for research breakthroughs in the medical field. 

Although it’s not a federal research agency, many major news outlets have cited Johns Hopkins research on the COVID-19 incubation period,⁷ and the university developed a coronavirus screening test.⁸

• JHU: Coronavirus Resource Center
• JHU: COVID-19 Interactive Map
• JHU: COVID-19 Situation Reports
• JHU: Public Health on Call

Local Resources

Keep a pulse on local instruction by bookmarking your state and county websites (and respective health departments). There you’ll find community resources, special orders, and information on closures.

Other Resources

• USDA: Food and Nutrition Service Response to COVID-19
• American Chemistry Council: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Fighting Products

Final Word

As you’re looking for ways to keep yourself and loved ones safe during the coronavirus outbreak, these resources are a great place to start. 

If you want to avoid losing hours to news consumption rabbit holes, set a time cap for coronavirus reading and reserve plenty of time for self care.

Remaining calm and staying informed don’t have to be at odds. Strengthening your media diet can have a steadying effect within all the uncertainty.

Related COVID-19 Articles

• Working from home? Know your best tech tools and how to keep your computer safe.
• Deep-cleaning your coop? Consult our spring cleaning checklist and tips on cleaning smart doorbells, baby monitors, and car seats.
• Kids home during the quarantine? Learn how to keep them safe online.
• Re-stocking your emergency kit? Here’s what to stock in your kit and food storage.
• Don’t have a family emergency plan? Craft a plan and make sure everyone knows the drill.
• Browsing the internet more often lately? Steer clear of COVID-19-related internet scams, particularly phishing scams.
• Curious about crime and the coronavirus? Here’s crime news associated with the virus.
• Wondering how to help seniors during the outbreak? We have updates on medical alert systems and how you can help seniors despite social distancing.

Sources

1. World Economic Forum, “A Visual History of Pandemics”
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Mission, Role, and Pledge”
3. World Health Organization, “About WHO”
4. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “Mission”
5. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “What We Do”
6. The World University Rankings, “World University Rankings 2019”
7. Wall Street Journal, “Coronavirus Symptoms Start About Five Days After Infection, New Research Finds”
8. Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Coronavirus Screening Test Developed at Johns Hopkins”

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