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With the first reported case of COVID-19 in Mississippi, the pandemic has become a little more real.

Social media posts are spreading all kinds of information about the disease, some of it is helpful and accurate but much of it is either hysterical or outright untrue.

Some social media posts tend toward the worst-case scenario while others downplay the potential severity of the disease.

The truth is somewhere in between, officials say.

Regardless, social media is not a good source of information for accurate news unless you are following social media posts of credible news organizations, such as The Natchez Democrat or respected governmental organizations such as the Mississippi Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you visit those organizations’ website, too, you will find more up-to-the-minute accurate information on COVID-19.

We caution people to remain calm but to keep vigilant as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Follow proper procedures to protect yourself from possibly contracting the virus by washing your hands frequently, avoiding handshaking and other physical contact in social situations.

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and if you are someone of an advanced age or with a compromised immune system avoid large gatherings of people.

Protecting ourselves from the virus is the community’s best defense of this disease.

Stay well.