Social Media Devastates Doctors and Nurses During the Pandemic
Validation before sharing misinformation stops the spread
If you have you logged in to Facebook or Twitter lately, a pandemic conspiracy theory likely sits at the top of the feed. A friend posted a secret cure or revealed a government cover-up. Fear and panic fill our social media feeds. Falsehoods, hoaxes, and genuine misconceptions mix seamlessly with scientifically-validated actionable content.
People do not know what to believe anymore.
The viral spread of unproven falsehoods and hoaxes are toxic for doctors and nurses. The popular internet meme of the day becomes the patients’ fears we face the next day in the office.
Click-bait headlines take us to untrustworthy news sites. Some people do not take COVID-19 recommendations seriously and share misinformation unintentionally. Others promote false and inaccurate information with harmful intentions.
Doctors fight two pandemics- the virus and misinformation
Each Instagram image of maskless masses on crowded beaches or groups enjoying margarita’s on a patio is another gut punch to healthcare workers.
