Table of Contents
While it may seem odd to have a top list of coronavirus influencers for what has spiraled the world into a public health emergency, social media can make anything a trending topic. And, in some cases, this may be a good thing. Bringing awareness to the seriousness of the issue and how best to act in the situation is one positive outcome of its popularity. In this list, we are not focusing on your Instagram feed of chic ways to style a facemask and accessorize with hand sanitizer. Check out these accounts if you’re curious about the most up to date information on #Covid19 and #coronavirus to educate yourself.
1. Balaji S. Srinivasan
-
- @balajis
- 162.1K followers
The only thing kind of working right now in the US is the decentralized response. But that's slower & unofficial. Let's hope it's enough.https://t.co/Ax609dEx8q
— Balaji Srinivasan (@balajis) March 16, 2020
Balaji S. Srinivasan is an angel investor and entrepreneur. He is the former CTO of Coinbase, Cofounder/CTO of a biotech company that sold for $375M, professor of bioinformatics at Stanford, author of papers in clinical/microbial genomics, and a member of the MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35. All in all, a reputable source of information on the subject among the top coronavirus influencers.
2. Helen Branswell
-
- @HelenBranswell
- 115.9K followers
4. The paper has clear definitions of what mild, severe, etc illness, which is really useful.
It's found here: https://t.co/1h0HWzcaW8 pic.twitter.com/9mOCLpRPtS— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) March 16, 2020
Helen Branswell is STAT’s infectious diseases and global health reporter. She has been a flooded resource during this time of concern based on her prior experience. Helen spent 15 years covering health, focusing on infectious diseases. She has written about past crises including Ebola, Zika and now leads STAT’s coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2004, Helen was embedded in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a CDC Knight Fellow and was a Nieman Global Health Fellow at Harvard. Follow this coronavirus influencer for reliable subject matter.
3. Paul Buchheit
-
- @paultoo
- 45.4K followers
This is exactly right. We must respond to the viral invasion with the same urgency and priority as a military invasion. All resources must be directed towards stopping spread, developing new treatments faster than thought possible, and defeating the virus https://t.co/gMWSq1FaV2
— Paul Buchheit (@paultoo) March 15, 2020
Paul is a computer engineer and entrepreneur credited with creating Gmail and developing the original prototype of Google AdSense. He is sharing his insight on the current health crisis along with solutions and actions we should be taking as a nation to address it.
4. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
-
- @DrTedros
- 630.1K followers
The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇https://t.co/4piczzrmpf
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 16, 2020
Looking for a more direct source of information? How about following the Director-General of the World Health Organization as one of your top coronavirus influencers. He is helping to unite the globe as one front to attack this disease and block its transmission.
5. Mike Ryan
-
- @DrMikeRyan
- 14K followers
This is the first pandemic caused by a #coronavirus.
We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough: all countries can still change the course of this pandemic. This is the first pandemic that can be controlled.https://t.co/dIoa4jYAUN— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 11, 2020
Dr. Mike Ryan is a member of the World Health Organization leadership team. He has experience managing acute risks to global health for nearly 25 years, another of the accredited coronavirus influencers. This public health specialist is sharing a culmination of the most accurate information available across the web in one spot for his followers.
6. Yamiche Alcindor
-
- @Yamiche
- 417.6K followers
NEW GUIDELINES from President Trump.
All Americans should:
-Homeschool their children when possible.
-Avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people.
-Avoid eating at bars and restaurants.No mandates, just recommendations.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 16, 2020
If you want a play by play on U.S. developments surrounding the coronavirus, Yamiche is your source. She is a PBS Newshour White House correspondent and contributor for other well-known news sites. In the heart of Washington D.C. where all the decisions are being made, she has the first access to report the information.
7. Sam Altman
-
- @sama
- 708.6K followers
Here's another prediction: The first week of June will be surprisingly normal.
(Lower confidence, but I think pretty likely.) https://t.co/SnLdaNplVT
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 13, 2020
From more of a financial perspective, Sam Altman is sharing his take on the coronavirus effects. Currently looking to fund COVID-19 related projects, his latest post shows that he is eager to help in the time of crisis.
8. Marco Rubio
-
- @marcorubio
- 4M followers
It won’t change anything but wanted to leave it for the record
Given what #COVID19 did to #China & now #Italy political potshots from all sides are really trivial
If we don’t change the trajectory of our current infection rate, in a few days no one will care about politics
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 16, 2020
U.S. Senator of Florida is one of the coronavirus influencers taking a different approach by encouraging his followers to #StayHomeSaveLives. Rather than spitting out facts and fear, Senator Rubio is directing our attention to the productive side of the equation.
9. Wajahat Ali
-
- @WajahatAli
- 198.4K followers
People have found the 2 videos we've done with Dr. Sarah Kureshi, my much better half, to be helpful. Should we do a quick one today about the need for social distancing? How it works and why it's important? Let me know and we will try.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) March 16, 2020
Wajahat “Please Stay Home If You Can” Ali is advocating for social distancing with actionable steps for his followers. This coronavirus influencer is showing how your choices have a real impact on the community, even if you don’t realize it. He is putting into perspective the issue that seems distant for many Americans.
10. Jose Andres
-
- @chefjoseandres
- 843.5K followers
People of America…Important News: All my restaurants in DC area are closed until further notice. Here at @ThinkFoodGroup safety of employees & guests is too priority. Some restaurants will transform into Community Kitchens to offer to-go lunches for those who need a meal. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/3HTyT607ZI
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) March 15, 2020
Chef Andres represents the view of business owners and what they can do to play their part in mitigating the impact of the coronavirus on their communities. Jose sets an example for model behavior on ethical business practices in a time of hardship and crisis. One of the coronavirus influencers focusing not only on the facts, but the importance of understanding how to make responsible decisions with the knowledge.
