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This website is a required resource for each research question. Please read an article from the Right, the Center, and the Left before choosing your source.

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AllSides Headline Roundups™ bring you top news stories from the left, center and right of the political spectrum - side-by-side so you can see the full picture.

We rotate the order of headlines to avoid biasing our coverage in favor of the left, which otherwise would always be listed first.

Learn how AllSides provides balanced news

MSNBC (Left bias) announced it's canceling opinion commentator Mehdi Hasan's Sunday night show on Thursday, drawing opinions from journalists and media outlets. For Context: Hasan is known...

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AllSides | Balanced news via media bias ratings for an unbiased news perspective

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We use media bias ratings to provide balanced news, perspectives and issues across the political spectrum. Unbiased news coverage doesn't exist - there is no such thing as unbiased news or t

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Choose at least 3 resources from the "Resource Sites for Coronavirus" column.        You have to use at least one source from AllSides as a source.

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Choose at least 3 resources from the "Resource Sites for Coronavirus" column.        You have to use at least one source from AllSides as a source.

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Check the articles for bias and evaluate your sources. Use the "Checking for Bias" and "Evaluate Your Source" columns to guide your work.

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Check the articles for bias and evaluate your sources. Use the "Checking for Bias" and "Evaluate Your Source" columns to guide your work.

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A trusted resource our school uses with current events at 5 different reading levels.

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Newsela | Your most urgent questions about the new coronavirus

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The outbreak of a new coronavirus, first seen in China, has now been declared a global public health emergency.

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Our local hospital

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The latest on COVID-19:
Updated 3/22/2020 Our CEO, Dr. Mark Keroack, discusses COVID-19 and Baystate Health's response in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Sarah Haessler, a Hospital Epidemiologist, and Dr. Andrew Artenstein, our Chief Physician Executive.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has banned eating inside bars and restaurants across the state, along with any gatherings of more than 25 people. Baker also closed all public and private schools across the state. Massachusetts had already declared a state of emergency for what the World Health Organization calls a pandemic.

While the news about the spreading novel (new) coronavirus changes by the minute, health officials at Baystate Health want to empower the public to safeguard their health and that of family members.

Everyone can do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

If you're sick: Call your doctor's office, emergency department, or urgent care if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms and are concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19.

Telehealth: We are increasing our use of telehealth video visits. These visits allow you to stay in the safety and comfort of your home, while providing a real-time connection (similar to FaceTime or Skype) with your healthcare provider on a mobile device, phone or computer.

Facemasks: The CDC only recommends facemasks for people who have symptoms of COVID-19, not for people who are healthy. Healthcare workers and anyone taking care of someone with COVID-19 should wear facemasks.

Visitor policy: We're taking precautions in our hospitals. We are not allowing any visitors in our hospitals as of 3/18/20, with some exceptions. As of 3/21/20, valet parking services will be suspended at Baystate Medical Center's Daly, Wesson, Chestnut, Emergency Department and Baystate Wing Hospital entrances. Valet services will currently remain open at the D'Amour Center for Cancer Care at 3350 Main Street. Learn more.

Testing: We are partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on patient testing. Only those hospitalized and critically ill are getting tested at this time. Info for providers.

Insurance coverage: Health insurers in Massachusetts will cover the full cost of testing, counseling, treatment, and vaccination for COVID-19.

Current cases: See the latest on MA cases, quarantine, and monitoring.

MDPH: Current stats and guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

CDC: Current information from the Centers from Disease Control (CDC)

WHO: Current information from the World Health Organization (WHO)

Read our frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

What to do:

What is Baystate Health doing to prepare?

Since the first cases were reported from China last December, Baystate Health's teams have been preparing first to screen and isolate patients. As we learned more about how the virus spreads, we have implemented policies around visitation and meetings.

Our Command Center

We have set up an incident command center under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Artenstein, our Chief Physician Executive, who also is an infectious disease doctor and a recognized expert on the spread of novel infectious agents. That team is considering new information on a daily basis, adjusting policies as needed, dealing with issues brought forward by front line employees and anticipating the course of the epidemic here in western Mass.

Minimizing the Threat to our Community

We continue to learn more and more about this infection, and it is now clear that someone infected by coronavirus can carry a large amount of virus in the nose and mouth, often well before they feel very sick.

Because infectious individuals are so hard to detect, and because the entire population is not immune to this new virus, we expect that we will soon be dealing with a large number of patients with suspected or confirmed infection. Therefore, it is important for all of us to stay informed about how to protect ourselves and remain effective in our jobs so we can help our communities minimize this threat.

Establishing Screening Protocols

Baystate Health has developed screening protocols for our medical practices and emergency rooms that are the front doors of our health system. These are designed to keep people with mild illness at home and to protect our employees who are evaluating them.

We also have an isolation unit at Baystate Medical Center where we plan to admit the initial confirmed cases. We will be continuously anticipating and likely expanding our capabilities to care for these patients as the epidemic unfolds.

Through investments in preparedness, Baystate Health has specialized equipment already on hand. We are in close communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and are following their guidance on preparing for management of this illness. We also are paying close attention to public health measures being implemented at the state and national level.

Expanding the Baystate Medical Center Emergency Department

As Baystate Medical Center prepares for a surge in patients related to COVID-19, we have started to build a rapid response triage directly outside the Emergency Department to accommodate anticipated patient care needs.

The temporary structure will be in the covered valet drop off/driveway area, and construction is expected to be completed within 10 days. The existing entry doors for our Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments will continue to be our front doors for the BMC ED.

Encouraging 'Social Distancing'

We support measures to eliminate events where crowds gather, such as parades and sporting events, and we encourage all employees to think of ways to avoid large face to face meetings when possible.

Stay Up to Date on Coronavirus News

The status of COVID-19 is changing constantly. Be sure to check reliable sources for information.

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The latest on COVID-19: current status and recommendations for prevention and treatment.

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Updated 3/22/2020 Our CEO, Dr. Mark Keroack, discusses COVID-19 and Baystate Health's response in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Sarah Haessler, a Hospital Epidemiologist, and Dr. Andrew Artenstein, our Chief Physician Executive. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has banned eating inside bars and restaurants across the state, along with any gatherings of more than 25 people.

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This is not for profit academic medical center

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What is COVID-19 and how can I protect myself?

Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.

A new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that began in China in 2019. The disease is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Public health groups, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO, are monitoring the pandemic and posting updates on their websites. These groups have also issued recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

How does the coronavirus spread?

Data has shown that the COVID-19 virus mainly spreads from person to person among those in close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters). The virus spreads by respiratory droplets released when someone infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks. These droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouth, nose or eyes of a person nearby.

Sometimes the COVID-19 virus can spread when a person is exposed to small droplets or aerosols that stay in the air for several minutes or hours - called airborne transmission.

The virus can also spread if you touch a surface with the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. But the risk is low.

The COVID-19 virus can spread from someone who is infected but has no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic transmission. The COVID-19 virus can also spread from someone who is infected but hasn't developed symptoms yet. This is called presymptomatic transmission.

It's possible to get COVID-19 twice or more, but this is uncommon.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 symptoms can be very mild to severe. Some people have no symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms are fever, cough, tiredness, and loss of taste or smell.

Other signs and symptoms may include shortness of breath, muscle aches, chills, sore throat, headache, chest pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. This list is not complete. Other less common symptoms have also been reported. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Can COVID-19 be prevented?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization to some COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. The FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty, to prevent COVID-19 in people age 16 and older. The FDA has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 through 15. A vaccine might prevent you from getting COVID-19 or prevent you from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 if you get the COVID-19 virus.

What can I do to avoid becoming ill?

If you haven't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine, you can reduce your risk of infection from the COVID-19 virus and reduce the risk of spreading it to others. The CDC and WHO recommend following these precautions:

Keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) of distance between yourself and people outside your household.

Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor airflow (ventilation).

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you're not able to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a mask in indoor public places.

Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces daily.

If you have a chronic medical condition, you may have a higher risk of serious illness. Check with your health care provider about other ways to protect yourself.

Should I wear a mask?

If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask indoors and outdoors where there is a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as crowded events or large gatherings. This advice is based on evidence that people with COVID-19 can spread the COVID-19 virus before they realize they have it.

Using masks in public may help reduce the spread from people who don't have symptoms. The CDC says that you should wear the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. Respirators such as nonsurgical N95s give the most protection. KN95s and medical masks provide the next highest level of protection. Cloth masks provide less protection. The CDC says that surgical N95 masks should be reserved for health care providers.

According to the CDC, if you are fully vaccinated, you can more safely return to many activities you may not have been able to do because of the pandemic. However, if you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with unvaccinated people. You're considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after you get a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

In the U.S., everyone needs to wear a mask while on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation.

Can I travel?

If you're planning to travel, check for travel advisories and use appropriate precautions when in public. You may want to talk with your health care provider if you have health conditions that make you more susceptible to respiratory infections and complications.

What can I do if I have or may have COVID-19?

If you develop symptoms or you've been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, contact your health care provider for medical advice. Your health care provider will likely recommend that you get tested for COVID-19. If you have emergency COVID-19 symptoms, such as trouble breathing, seek care immediately. If you need to go to a hospital, call ahead so that health care providers can take steps to ensure that others aren't exposed.

Take the following precautions to avoid spreading the virus that causes COVID-19:

Stay home from work, school and public areas and stay in isolation, except to get medical care.

Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services.

Wear a cloth face mask around other people or pets.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Isolate yourself as much as possible from other people or pets in your home.

Use a separate bedroom and bathroom if possible.

Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items.

Clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces daily.

With

Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.

Show references

See more Expert Answers

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Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. A new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that began in China in 2019. The disease is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

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This is information from the state of Massachusetts on the Coronavirus

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Overview

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to respond aggressively to COVID-19 and keep our residents updated, informed, and safe during this challenging time. Here you will find updates on case counts, testing, guidance, and resources regarding our public health response to COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.

To learn about all aspects of the Massachusetts COVID-19 response, visit mass.gov/covid19.

View today's current cases in Massachusetts and learn more about COVID-19 in the list below.

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Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to respond aggressively to COVID-19 and keep our residents updated, informed, and safe during this challenging time. Here you will find updates on case counts, testing, guidance, and resources regarding our public health response to COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.

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This is the Center for Disease Control - a federal government resource

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Bias Check:
Is the story sensational or overly
emotional?
Is the story interesting to the point of exaggeration trying to make a joke about a topic or pulling you in a direction of thinking that have not made a firm judgment?

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 Bias favors one point of view  over another

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 Bias favors one point of view  over another

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Purpose Check                  Is the article meant to be propaganda?              

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Purpose Check                  Is the article meant to be propaganda?              

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Consider the Source. Does the source already have a reputation for being questionable? 

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Consider the Source. Does the source already have a reputation for being questionable? 

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another way of saying that any information recieved from a certain source can't be taken seriously because that source has been wrong before, or lacks credibility.

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Put on your detective hat and get investigating.

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Use Fact checking resources

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In a political climate where sharing fake news has become commonplace, it's more important than ever to rely on trustworthy and dogged fact-checking services to vet information.

Our job as digital citizens requires more than just being informed. We must also be vigilant about verifying information before posting it online. Being able to evaluate the acurracy, perspective and validity of digital media and social posts is one of the five competencies of DigCitCommit, an initiative designed to prepare students to stay safe, solve problems and become a force for good.

While taking a second look at claims made by politicians and even journalists is a start, we still can't outsource our brains and our judgment, says Tessa Jolls, president of the Center for Media Literacy. "In my view, we have to look as critically at the fact-checking sites as we do the news articles themselves," she says.

A good fact-checking site uses neutral wording, provides unbiased sources to support its claims and reliable links, says Frank Baker, author of Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom and creator of the Media Literacy Clearinghouse. He adds, "Readers should apply the same critical thinking/questioning to fact-check sites."

Here's a rundown of 10 of the top fact- and bias-checking sites to share with your students.

While not a fact-checking site, AllSides curates stories from right, center and left-leaning media so that readers can easily compare how bias influences reporting on each topic.

This nonpartisan, nonprofit project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by U.S. political players, including politicians, TV ads, debates, interviews and news releases.

This nonprofit and self-described liberal-leaning research center monitors and corrects conservative misinformation in the media.

This nonpartisan website where Internet users can quickly and easily get information about eRumors, fake news, disinformation, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email.

This nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit website run by the Center for Responsive Politics tracks how much and where candidates get their money.

This Pulitzer Prize winning website rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials. Run by editors and reporters from the independent newspaper Tampa Bay Times, Politicfact features the Truth-O-Meter that rates statements as "True," "Mostly True," "Half True," "False," and "Pants on Fire."

This independent, nonprofit newsroom has won several Pulitzer Prizes, including the 2016 Prize for Explanatory Reporting. ProPublica produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

This independent, nonpartisan website run by professional researcher and writer David Mikkelson researches urban legends and other rumors. It is often the first to set the facts straight on wild fake news claims.

This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization uses public policy data-based journalism to make politics more transparent and accountable.

Although the Washington Post has a left-center bias, its checks are excellent and sourced. The bias shows up because they fact check conservative claims more than liberal ones.
Jennifer Snelling is a freelance writer based in Eugene, Oregon, and mom to two digital natives. This is an updated version of a post that originally published April 18, 2017.

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Top 10 sites to help students check their facts | ISTE

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Students need to be vigilant about verifying information before posting it on social media. You can help them by teaching them to find trustworthy sources and doggedly fact-check and vet information.

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Check your information

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The definitive Internet reference source for researching urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.

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Internet Link Check:       Does the URL look odd, something you have not seen before?                               What is the domain (UR – Russia, Co- Columbia). 

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Internet Link Check:       Does the URL look odd, something you have not seen before?                               What is the domain (UR – Russia, Co- Columbia). 

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How fake news happens

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Make sure to write down why you trust your resources. That feedback will be used for your final "Trust Me" sheet.

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Make sure to write down why you trust your resources. That feedback will be used for your final "Trust Me" sheet.