Navigating COVID-19 news

Friday, 6 August, 2021

With stay-at-home orders in place across large parts of Australia right now, COVID-19 is once again dominating news headlines.

While there is an abundance of information across all forms of media about the pandemic, it’s important to make sure you are getting the right information about the restrictions, general public health advice, and vaccines.

Accurate information from the government, health bodies and reputable news outlets are the best sources of COVID-19 news.

While social media can be fun and empowering, not all news or opinions expressed on these platforms is accurate or helpful. It is recommended that you avoid trying to get information on social media - which can cause confusion and even fear.

Often the news about COVID-19 can seem overwhelmingly, particularly when it is negative. It can be overwhelming to digest all this information, and scrolling on social media can make it feel like bad news is all around us!

So, while it’s important to stay informed, it’s also just as important to make sure you also take breaks, particularly if the news is making you feel sad or frustrated.

Keep in mind there is non COVID-19 news to keep up to date with as well and that it’s ok to take media breaks. Call a friend, go for a walk, or make a delicious new recipe to give yourself a different task to focus on. Just because the news cycle is 24/7, doesn’t mean you have to be always connected to it. If you’re finding it hard to put down your phone or step away from the laptop, put on a timer to remind yourself to take a break.

The best way to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed is to make regular visits to official government websites which provide fact-based advice and information such as https://www.australia.gov.au which serves as a centralised hub for all you need to know about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

There are also state/territory specific sites you can visit which are listed below.

NSW Government - www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19