Since the very early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has served as a place for the public to discuss the rapidly changing events.
Twitter in particular has proven popular, with new data from the company showing there have now been over 22 million COVID-related posts on the platform.
The analysis also underlines how responsive Twitter has been to updates from authorities.
Since the NSW government announced new freedoms for fully vaccinated citizens, picnic-related conversations have been up at least 1300 per cent.
Twitter has also pointed out that vaccine-related Tweets are up 423 per cent from 2020 to 2021 with a notable switch in conversation around jab eligibility in 2021 versus #socialdistancing rules and #flatteningthecurve in 2020.
As we have come to learn, the announcement of lockdowns has usually resulted in some level of panic buying.
This is reflected in Twitter’s data, with lockdowns coinciding with an increase of conversations around #toiletpaper and #panicbuying.
“During these unprecedented times, the community have come together encouraging and supporting other Aussies in the ways they could – from sharing availability of vaccine appointments to supporting local businesses,” Twitter said in a statement.
“In addition to that, Aussies showed a united front by using #inthistogether and #getvaccinatednow to remind people that there is a community that looks after the welfare of others.”
While there has been plenty of robust conversation about COVID on Twitter, there is also the constant challenge of managing the spread of misinformation for the social media company.
Twitter says it has now challenged 11.7 million accounts, suspended 1,496 accounts, and removed over 43,010 pieces of content around the world.
In Australia, Twitter is now working with the government to give users access to authoritative and trustworthy information, especially around vaccines.
“With Australia’s vaccine rollout expanding, Aussies are participating in varying conversations around this topic. Our partnership with the Australian Department of Health to launch the #KnowTheFacts search prompt ensures the community has access to credible information related to immunisations, including COVID-19 vaccines, at the top of their search experience,” Twitter said.
