Misinformation about SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 – How to Recognize Misinformation

One more piece of misinformation about masks – Copper

In the last post I did not include one more common piece of misinformation about masks. There are many masks advertised on television that tout the fact that they contain copper. While it is true the SARS-COV-2 does not last as long on copper surfaces, there is no evidence that copper in masks makes any difference. Rather than spending your money on a copper containing mask, focus on finding well fitting masks with a tight weave and multiple layers.

How to recognize misinformation on websites and social media

Here are some organizations/people who consistently provide misinformation

  1. Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. This is an impressive sounding name, but it is actually a right wing group that has promoted a number discredited medical ideas. These include: AIDS is not caused by HIV; being gay reduces life expectancy; abortion is associated with breast cancer; vaccines cause autism (thoroughly discredited by well designed randomized controlled trials).
  2. America’s Frontline Doctors. This group is actually headed by a dentist. They promote treatments like hydroxychloroquine and nutritional supplements to treat COVID. One of the leaders of this group was recently arrested for storming the Capitol. There is actually a legitimate group called America’s Frontline Physicians that promotes evidenced based medical care.
  3. Dr. Joseph Mercola. Dr. Mercola is an osteopathic physician who markets dietary supplements and medical devices, most of which are of questionable health benefit. All of these are marketed through his website and/or through a number of books that he has written. He claims that mRNA vaccines are gene therapy, and also that COVID-19 is not caused by SARS-COV-2.
  4. Fox News, Breitbart and Newsmax often provide misleading information about COVID-19 or downright misinformation

It is not possible, of course to address all the sources of misinformation on the web and social media. We are in the middle of an ‘infodemic’ of misinformation. There are some ways, however to recognize what is likely to be misinformation.

  1. Any website or social media post that promotes a simple cure or prevention for COVID-19 is likely misinformation, especially if the treatment being promoted is a vitamin, a supplement, hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin.
  2. Any website or post that implies that mRNA vaccines are dangerous or are gene therapy is certainly misinformation
  3. COVID-19 is a complex disease and we are learning more about it all the time. Any website or post that makes things sound simple is probably misinformation

Reliable sources of information about COVID-19 and SARS-COV-2

  1. CDC (website cdc.gov). The CDC has the best scientists and epidemiologists in the world. The previous administration tried to censor the information from the CDC and often undermined it. The current administration has stopped this practice. Information changes as we learn more about COVID-19 and SARS-COV-2, but the CDC website has the most up to date science based information and recommendations.
  2. Mayo Clinic (website mayoclinic.org). The Mayo Clinic site has lots of reliable information about COVID-19 and it is presented in a way that is geared for patients and non-physicians.
  3. WebMd (website webmd.com). This website is designed to provide information on many medical conditions including COVID-19. It is easy to search for specific information.
  4. STAT news (website statnews.com). This news service specializes in current developments in health and disease and has many useful and interesting articles on COVID-19 and SARS-COV-2.
  5. Major news organizations, specifically New York Times; Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Boston Globe.

If you receive a post or tweet from a friend that you think might be information, please do not share it with your friends. This is how misinformation spreads like a disease. If you have a question about whether what you are seeing is misinformation, use the comment section of this post to ask about it. I will aggregate these and respond in another post or posts.

Leave a Reply