Doctors Struggle to Fight the Explosion of Misinformation About Coronavirus Cures

While doctors across the country continue to treat patients affected by the coronavirus, they are also fighting another issue. Misinformation. Doctors are struggling with a seemingly endless barrage of misinformation circulating on social media and online about the coronavirus.

Doctors in Europe and the United States blame President Trump, who touts ineffective treatments, and social media companies for failing to reduce the scourge of misinformation rampant on platforms. Over 800 people have died from consuming a solution made up of concentrated alcohol, a mixture that was published online.

Online rumors abound, from the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine to masks harming oxygen levels. Doctors are doing their best, to tell the truth, but many patients have already followed the advice online, including on New York patient that arrived in the emergency room after drinking bleach.

While many patients would share with doctors that they consulted google or other online remedies before appointments, the current pandemic is taking misinformation to a new level. Dr. Ryan Stanton, an emergency room physician in Kentucky, told the New York Times that many patients waited for treatment because they thought the coronavirus was a scam, “They thought it was just a ploy, a sham, a conspiracy. It just blew my mind that you can put these blinders on and ignore the facts.”

In Britain, paramedic Thomas Knowles had a similar experience with patients, “I’ve never personally encountered such a strong, consistent — and so clearly coordinated from somewhere — collective of people so entrenched in their false beliefs.” Doctors and healthcare workers continue to relay the correct information, even when patients pushback or lash out on social media.

Read more about protecting yourself from coronavirus. Check the CDC website for more information on how to protect yourself and check our latest article to learn how COVID-19 differs from the flu.

Sign this petition to tell the media to Stop repeating Trump’s pandemic lies!

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