In a bid to control misinformation about the coronavirus from spreading among the public, the Centre has launched a chatbot to answer all your queries about the coronavirus.
The MyGov Corona Helpdesk will be available for anyone to chat with—just add the number 9013151515 to your contacts and send it a message on WhastApp and you’ll be given an utomatic response.
The government has also set up a helpline, (011-23978046) and a toll-free number-1075 to resolve any queries you might have. An email account has also been set up for the same—ncov2019@gov.in.
Messaging the MyGov Corona Helpdesk elicited the following response:
“Namaste 🙏
This is the Government of India's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Helpdesk to create awareness and help you and your family stay safe.
For any emergency 👇
📞 Helpline: 011-23978046 | Toll-Free Number: 1075
✉ Email: ncov2019@gov.in
Please choose from the following option 👇
A. What is Coronavirus and what are its symptoms?
B. How does Coronavirus spread?
C. How to reduce the risk of Coronavirus?
D. Professional Advice By AIIMS-Director
E. Know more on Coronavirus
F. Where to get help?
💡Tip: You can type A, B, C, D, E, F to make a selection of the menu options.”
Pressing A to see the symptoms makes the bot send you a message with a list of emojis for each symptom.
“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causes illness in people. Its symptoms in humans are
🤒 Fever
😐 Breathing problem
🤧 Coughing
😫 Tightness of chest
👃 Running Nose
😨 Headache
🌡 Feeling unwell
😷 Pneumonia
💉 Kidney Failure”
The option for professional advice links to a series of videos by AIIMS director aiming to offer verified information about the virus. It is to be noted that all the videos are in Hindi and that as of writing, there were no options to select other languages.
Besides the government, a Bengaluru startup had also launched a free virtual help desk to deal with coronavirus queries, with corporate clients across the world now using it to keep their employees well-informed and safe.
