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Date of Publication: May 12
Year of Publication: 2020
Publication City: Washington, DC
Publisher: The Wilson Center
Misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are spreading online like a global wildfire. For public health officials who are trying to keep public attention on scientific evidence and advice based on medical guidelines, this misinformation has the potential to do great harm. Some experts are calling this an “infodemic”, as misleading information about how the virus spreads and how it’s cured is reaching global audiences. In the Middle East, social media platforms have become ‘carriers’ of false messages like, “the virus causes infertility in men,” “drinking warm water every 15 minutes stops the virus” or if you’re religious enough, you’re “protected by God” — complicating response efforts. In addition, false information about the origins of the virus have taken a political dimension, setting the stage for a regional battle for outside interests.
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