A lot of information is making the rounds about coronavirus.

Some of that information is informative and some of it is inaccurate.

As this health issue continues to escalate, don’t get carried away by false or inaccurate information, especially when it is shared on social media.

Instead, turn to credible sources such as established news media and government agencies such as the CDC or the Mississippi Department of Health for information.

Yes, the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus appears to be very contagious and has the potential to infect a lot of people in the United States as it has done in other countries since it was discovered Dec. 31, 2019, in China.

Local officials and agencies in Vicksburg have already started to prepare for a potential outbreak.

The Vicksburg Mayor and Board of Aldermen hosted earlier this week a Coronavirus briefing for all city department heads. It can be viewed on live stream from VTV’s Facebook page @VTV-Vicksburg, MS.

And Vicksburg local physician Dr. Carlos LaTorre updated ERDC officials on the virus March 4. You can read our article about his program in the March 5 edition of The Vicksburg Post.

In addition to information from the city and Dr. Latorre’s program at ERDC, you can find plenty of up-to-date information about the coronavirus on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov or at the Mississippi Health Department’s website at msdh.ms.gov. You also can trust reports from credible media outlets both national and local such as The Vicksburg Post.

In the meantime, take steps to get a plan in place to minimize the chances you will be exposed to the virus. You can find that information in today’s stories or at the websites listed above.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Stay informed and stay well.