Wikipedia editors respond to events around the world by creating accurate, encyclopedic articles about history in the making. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, around 7,000 Wikipedia articles have been created about the disease, in over 180 languages. In the second half of 2020, the Foundation received a few messages from the public asking about coverage of the pandemic on Wikipedia, seeking to ensure that it was accurate, free from bias, and protected from potential vandalism. As it happens, almost 100,000 editors from around the world have worked on writing, editing, and updating Wikipedia’s COVID-19 articles, and so many eyes on the content have undoubtedly helped to uphold their neutrality and accuracy. In October, the Foundation partnered with the World Health Organization in order to make critical public health information freely available (for example, see the WHO’s disinformation-fighting infographics on Wikimedia Commons). As the pandemic continues, Wikipedia contributors will undoubtedly continue to keep information about it up to date. For more information about COVID-19 coverage on the projects, please see our COVID-19 article data page.
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