Medical disinformation and the unviable nature of COVID-19 conspiracy theories

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has seen a marked rise in medical disinformation across social media. A variety of claims have garnered considerable traction, including the assertion that COVID is a hoax or deliberately manufactured, that 5G frequency radiation causes coronavirus, and that the pandemic is a ruse by big pharmaceutical companies to profiteer off a vaccine. An estimated 30% of some populations subscribe some form of COVID medico-scientific conspiracy narratives, with detrimental impacts for themselves and others. Consequently, exposing the lack of veracity of these claims is of considerable importance. Previous work has demonstrated that historical medical and scientific conspiracies are highly unlikely to be sustainable. In this article, an expanded model for a hypothetical en masse COVID conspiracy is derived. Analysis suggests that even under ideal circumstances for conspirators, commonly encountered conspiratorial claims are highly unlikely to endure, and would quickly be exposed. This work also explores the spectrum of medico-scientific acceptance, motivations behind propagation of falsehoods, and the urgent need for the medical and scientific community to anticipate and counter the emergence of falsehoods.

Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among a Community Sample of African Americans Living in the Southern United States

“…During information seeking, they may encounter disinformation, misinformation, or conspiracies, and if their confidence is low, information seekers are more susceptible to believe inaccurate information [ 77 ]. As science emerged regarding COVID-19, so did disinformation, particularly in social media, including false claims that COVID-19 is a hoax or that the virus was manufactured for the sole purpose of pharmaceutical profit [ 78 ]. Similarly, anti-vaccination sentiment spread through social media was predictive of doubt in vaccine safety [ 79 ].…”

COVID-19 Scientific Facts vs. Conspiracy Theories: Is Science Failing to Pass Its Message?

“…In particular, health professionals need to be constantly updated not only about valid scientific facts, but also concerning circulating internet and media-based fake news, myths, and conspiracy theories; by doing so, health professionals can join forces together in the fight against myths and conspiracy theories relating to COVID-19 and other pathogens. Grimes [ 42 ] recently proposed that health professionals and scientists should together aim to utilize education in the fight against conspiracy theory beliefs. For psychoeducation to be effective, it should also instigate analytical thinking, which appears to decrease conspiracy theory adherence [ 22 ].…”

“Anti-COVID-19” Medications, Supplements, and Mental Health Status in Indonesian Mothers with School-Age Children

“…51 Apparently, this population also tends to avoid the vaccination program which now has become available through national and international programs. 52,53 Adaptation is a human ability to survive, including during this pandemic. Disinformation regarding COVID-19 treatment and prevention spread widely throughout the news, social media, and friend networks.…”

“… 51 Apparently, this population also tends to avoid the vaccination program which now has become available through national and international programs. 52 , 53 …”