Congresswoman Dingell Implores Social Media Companies to Tackle Coronavirus Misinformation.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor in Chief/Publisher Jeff Brown.

 Friday, January 31, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) pressed leading social media companies to take immediate steps to stop the spread of misinformation as it relates to the Coronavirus. Dingell asked questions of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

According to today's press release, “During a global health emergency, it is vital to the public interest that individuals have access to timely and accurate information. As expert’s knowledge and understanding about this virus grows, so too will the necessity of accurate and reliable information for the world.  As global companies, a rampant spread of inaccurate information will have a decidedly negative impact on the response efforts to contain and mitigate this global health emergency,” wrote Dingell.

Dingell continues to vigorously monitor the coronavirus and work with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and related federal agencies to ensure all preventative measures are taken to monitor and educate travelers and the public from the recent outbreak in China. Last week, she asked the CDC for an update on coronavirus screenings at international airports such as Detroit Metro. This week, she attended a briefings with the CDC on their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus in the United States. This according to the statement from Debbie Dingells office.

Dingell’s letter is available here or below:

Dear Ms. Wojcicki, Mr. Zuckerberg, Dorsey, and Zhu,

With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the Coronavirus a public health emergency, rising fatalities, and evidence of person to person transmission this letter is being sent to you with concerns and questions on how your platforms are handling inaccurate and misleading information surrounding the dangers and risks associated with this virus. 

During a global health emergency, it is vital to the public interest that individuals have access to timely and accurate information. As expert’s knowledge and understanding about this virus grows, so too will the necessity of accurate and reliable information for the world.  As global companies, a rampant spread of inaccurate information will have a decidedly negative impact on the response efforts to contain and mitigate this global health emergency. 

With any crisis, fear and the need to understand what is happening can cloud judgement and push us to look for answers, credible or not.  This is not a new phenomenon, but what is new is the global reach, impact, and negative effects finding wrong or incomplete answers will have, not only on a given user, but to their families and communities worldwide.  The actions you choose to take will impact the lives of your users and those around them.

Unlike nation-state disinformation campaigns, the effects on users and the public could very well facilitate the continued spread of the Coronavirus and more deaths. With that please provide responses to the following questions:

1.      Is your company working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the WHO in order to prioritize and boost timely and accurate information regarding the Coronavirus? And how specifically are you ensuring the information on your platform is accurate and continues to be accurate as experts understanding of this virus evolves?

2.      Does your platform have policies and practices in place to limit, flag, or demote inaccurate user generated content pertaining to public health emergencies?

3.      If so, what are these policies and practices? And does the public have access to them?

4.      Are such policies and practices being implemented and what accountability measures are in place?

5.      Are human content moderators or technology solutions being used to identify and flag these types of inaccurate content?

Much like this virus, misinformation, willful or benign in nature, will continue to spread until measures are taken to limit exposure and treat symptoms.  I urge you to take serious action in addressing this issue and appreciate your attention to this matter. A prompt response is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Debbie Dingell

Member of Congress

Statement by U.S. Department of State: Evacuation of Americans From Wuhan, China.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Wednesday, Jan, 29, the U.S. State department released the following statement regarding the evacuation of Americans from Wuhan, China in wake of the new Corona Virus.

This morning, a flight from Wuhan carrying U.S. government personnel and some private Americans safely landed in California. As we have previously noted, these travelers will be carefully screened and monitored by the health experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health and Human Services (HHS). All appropriate steps are being taken to safeguard the health of these returning Americans, as well as the health and safety of their fellow Americans here at home.

This effort to bring our citizens home was made possible through close collaboration between the Department of State, the CDC, HHS, the Department of Defense, and state and local authorities. We appreciate the PRC government’s efforts related to this evacuation.

We remain committed to doing everything we can to protect the health and welfare of U.S. citizens overseas, including those remaining in Wuhan, and are working closely with PRC authorities to offer them all possible assistance. We continue to encourage U.S. citizens to review our China Travel Advisory at Travel.State.gov, and to closely monitor and follow the guidance of local health authorities.

On the Flint Water Crisis: Contributed to PWP By Activist Melissa Mays of Flint: Day #2,908.

By Purple Walrus Press contributor Melissa Mays.

Yesterday there was big news in the forever-long civil court cases for Flint residents to MAYBE see some compensation for being poisoned and our homes made unsafe to live in. The Supreme Court will not hear the Defendants' attempts to get the cases tossed, so the cases can finally move forward. Hopefully soon, the people of Flint can have our day in court. I had a few things to say when Skyping the BBC last night. 😁 You know me... got my pale sass still flowing!! While this is good news, let's hope when these cases go into mediation they treat us like how they would treat their own family members if they were poisoned by failed policy and corrupt officials and government. No, $14,000 won't do. We need to cover medical bills, fix our homes, replace our own plumbing and fixtures and do all the work since those responsible don't believe in fixing what they broke. They only seem to care about not spending any money on the "disposable" people they deprive of dignity, safety, hope AND justice. Flint, we deserve better so we cannot stop fighting for what's right for us. And those outside of Flint, please stand with us because if they get away with poisoning us and not being held accountable, it will make it that much easier to do it to you and your loved ones!! Please don't forget Flint. Oh and today is day #2,098 in the #FlintWaterCrisis... and counting. Damn. https://www.reuters.com/ar…/us-usa-court-flint-idUSKBN1ZK1S5

Global Day of Action: No War/Trump/Pence Out Now! Rally/March In Ann Arbor Saturday.

Editor in Chief /Publisher Jeff Brown.

Wet and icy conditions did not keep approximately 40 protesters from participating in a No War!/Trump/Pence Out Now! demonstration and march in downtown Ann Arbor Saturday, January 25. Demonstrators gathered at 2 pm in front of the Federal Building before marching through the streets of Ann Arbor Saturday afternoon. The organizations ANSWER ( Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and Refuse Fascism called for a global day of protest to take place Saturday.

After gathering at the Federal Building demonstrators began marching through the streets of Ann Arbor chanting Trump/Pence Out Now and carrying signs stating No More War, Trump/Pence Out Now, Dump Donald Traitor Trump, Stop The War and No War on Iran. Several speakers addressed the crowd from the steps of the Federal Building including representatives from Answer and Refuse Fascism.

 Organizers stated that cold and wet weather was a contributing factor in the lower than expected turn-out for Saturday's rally and March. The demonstration was peaceful.

According to a statement prior to the rally and march from ANSWER and Refuse Fascism, "We will not watch in silence as Trump sends orders to initiate war abroad and perpetuate violence at home." The organizations believe that now is the time for the people to take back power and demand the immediate removal of Trump/Pence.

On January 8, hundreds of demonstrators participated in a No War On Iran demonstration on the University of Michigan campus in front of Angel Hall. On that evening protesters voiced opposition to what they see as United States imperialism in the Middle East.

Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Demonstration co-organizer Libby addresses crowd from steps of Ann Arbor Federal Building Saturday.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Is Investigating Potential Cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019.

Editor in Chief and Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), local public health departments and the state’s healthcare community are actively monitoring the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak originating in Wuhan, China. This according to a Friday, January 24 press release.

These efforts include special attention to people who present with symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough or difficulty breathing), fever, and report a travel history that includes Wuhan or contact with an ill individual who is under investigation for coronavirus infection. These individuals are being considered for specimen collection and submission to the CDC for testing.

At this time, the only approved testing for coronavirus is available at the CDC. The Michigan State Laboratory is prepared to receive the specimens and then send them to the CDC for testing. The CDC is working with the Federal Drug Administration and state public health laboratories to make testing more broadly available.

To date, MDHHS has evaluated referrals from several counties and approved specimens from two individuals in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb County for testing at CDC. Given the number of specimens being tested nationally, no specific turnaround time is available, but results are expected within several days. Information around this outbreak is 

changing rapidly.

According to MDHHS, All cases being investigated in Michigan have presented with mild illness. These individuals are self-isolating and local health departments are closely monitoring anyone who has been in close contact with them.

According to a statement from MDHHS, “At MDHHS, we recognize the potential threat associated with this virus and are working to identify any suspect cases in Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Our goal is to quickly identify individuals with the virus and prevent any potential spread. We encourage healthcare providers to remain vigilant in screening patients for symptoms and travel history, and to contact their local health departments immediately if they see a potential case.”

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses common among animals and humans. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted from animals to humans. This novel coronavirus is a newly discovered version that has not been previously detected in animals or humans. The source is not yet known.

Novel Coronavirus 2019 has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan. Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred according to CDC.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If anyone believes that they have symptoms and have recently traveled to Wuhan, China, or have been in contact with someone who has had the virus, they should call their healthcare provider or hospital prior to arriving so that the appropriate preventive measures can be put in place.  

Public health screenings for travelers from Wuhan have been implemented at five U.S. airports including Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX).  

More information is available at CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #