19 Months In: Misinformation Is An Infectious Disease Too
The spread of misinformation and conspiracy is fast acting and potent in the current digital age. Source: USC
Information has and always been something that can be the difference between life and death. Information like swimming parallel to a rip current can save someone’s life from drowning. By this logic, the inverse of life saving information is the spreading of misinformation, which can put people’s lives in danger and decrease their chances of surviving a dire situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has faced the spreading of misinformation from its genesis to today, from conspiracy theories regarding the vaccines and the virus itself, to disregarding government mandates to protests against lockdown.
This pandemic has highlighted the United States individualistic culture and the tendency to politicize matters that do not directly relate to politics. Even former President Trump spread misinformation while in office or by downplaying the pandemic in general, even after encountering the virus himself and suggesting to inject disinfectants in order to combat the virus. The disregard for facts during this pandemic has shown the danger of misinformation as people continue to die and choose not to get vaccinated. This pandemic has already altered our way of life on a day to day basis and will more than likely have long-term consequences in the political sphere, as well as interactions between the government and its constituents. Nineteen months in, and misinformation still persists, emphasizing the ignorance, privilege, and entitlement that exists in the United States.
Different events have sparked controversy and conspiracy throughout the pandemic. The main event was the virus’s infancy stage and official title as a pandemic. Some conspiracies regarding the origin of the virus include 5G networks, that COVID-19 was a weapon of biological warfare, that the virus was man-made in Wuhan, that the virus does not exist at all and is used to control the masses with social programming-or that it does exist but is being exaggerated-and more. Perspectives on these conspiracies may vary, one could see some of these theories in the realm of possibility, others might believe in these conspiracies, and others might want to deeply insult those who subscribe to and defend these beliefs. Regardless, all of these beliefs are conspiracies — they cannot be supported or can be refuted. Individuals or groups who don’t believe in the danger, validity, or existence of COVID-19 not only put themselves in danger but others as well. For example, if someone does not believe in the existence of COVID-19, or listens to former President’s Trump’s assertion that “You’re going to beat it,” "You're going to beat it," this individual may end up dead, on a ventilator, or have lingering symptoms if they contract COVID-19. Even if this person is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, if they do not quarantine they are putting others at risk. Misinformation, like a contagious respiratory virus, unfortunately spreads.
The spread of misinformation and conspiracy is fast acting and potent in the current digital age as people often trust what they read without questioning the validity of the source and information is received faster than ever before. Even more so, if one does not believe in the facts given by reputable news sources, the government, or health organizations like WHO and the CDC, then their only source will be misinformation from other non-believers who are themselves not reputable. NPR states in their article, “Few Facts, Millions Of Clicks: Fearmongering Vaccine Stories Go Viral Online” by Miles Parks, that “articles connecting vaccines and death have been among the most highly engaged with content online this year, going viral in a way that could hinder people's ability to judge the true risk in getting a shot.” Clickbaiting and conspiracy is fueling the spread of misinformation, which as aforementioned carries real danger and lethality in this global pandemic.
Another issue with the spread of misinformation, especially in relation to the COVID-19 vaccines, is the presence of confirmation bias. Those who discredit COVID-19 and believe the vaccine to be a hoax in its efficiency or a different conspiracy, such as the idea that the COVID-19 vaccines are a form of population control, also see those who get the virus or get sick after the vaccine to be proof of whichever conspiracy they believe. Confirmation bias is dangerous in combination with misinformation because it leads one further from the truth and closes one’s mind to discussion and understanding.
The CDC gives helpful tips however, in order for one to be prepared to curb the spread of misinformation. If one does their part to be safe in this pandemic as well as encouraging the truth rather than misinformation, the better the outlook is for the future.