This is a global pandemic.
Every person who contracts COVID-19 has the capability to furtherspread the virus, thus prolonging its life.
As leaders and role models in the fitness and movement space, I want us to do better.
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Your followers and clients look to you for fitness guidance,workouts, and expertise.
Youve heard it before: With great power comes great responsibility.
We need to accept that responsibility and take it seriously.
Reacting too quickly to COVID-19 news without first verifying it can lead to further disseminating misinformation, even unintentionally.
We should heed nutrition professionals expertise instead of inappropriately claiming our own.
As fitness pros, unless you also have a degree in the above, this is not your lane.
We have to respect science.
Since SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus and were still learning about it, information can become outdated rather quickly.
It is serious.This doesnt mean you’re gonna wanna live in constant fear.
This means you should listen to experts and take precautions to reduce your risk.
Hospitalization rates for Hispanic/Latinx people are more than four times higher than they are for non-Hispanic white people.
Death rates are also significantly higher in Black and brown communities.
We cant ignore the devastating role systemic racism is playing in this pandemic.
That doesnt mean it doesnt affect other populations.It is not true that it doesnt affect children.
It is not true that only the elderly die.
The fitness community is not exempt.
Keep all populations in mind when you post.
Its because they want the public to stay safe.
They are not trying to trick you.
Yes, we need to move our bodies.
That includes while training people.
And while working out within proximity of others, especially indoors.
Science is real and really important.Science has a process.
Analyzing data has a process.
Interpreting data has a process.
Releasing information to the public has a process.
People spend years in school learning how to do this, and their careers continually refining it.
YouTube and Facebook do not.
For this reason, science should inform what we repost or share.
Do some research and look to credible sourcessocial media doesnt have all the answers.
Resources like the World Health Organization are also generally reliable sources.
Use your platform to highlightcredible sources and accounts, and help give people places to find research-backed information.
None of the above are conspiracies.And while were at it, the whole QAnon thingjust dont.
Its not that I dont want you to post anything.
Its that I want you to be aware, mindful, and informed with what you post.
Take the time to do the extra research, to find the appropriate resources mentioned, to cross-reference.
This is definitely a be part of the solution, not part of the problem scenario.
Sharing is caring, but caring is sharing only that which is informed.
