Category: Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
How misinformation became the leading cause of death in the U.S. and what can be done about it
Texas Public Radio – Audio Report Medical misinformation is killing people, according to the head of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Robert Califf blames misinformation and disinformation about public health for the fact that life expectancy in the U.S. is between three and five years lower than it is in other high-income countries. Experts […]
Apr 25, 2023
To Understand Anti-vaxxers, Consider Aristotle
The Atlantic Among the many difficulties imposed upon America by the pandemic, the scourge of anti-vaccine sentiment—and the preventable deaths caused as result—ranks among the most frustrating, especially for infectious-disease doctors like me. People who are hospitalized with COVID-19 rarely refuse therapy, but acceptance of vaccines to help prevent infection has been considerably more limited. Seventy percent […]
Mar 28, 2023
My 6-Year-Old Son Died. Then the Anti-vaxxers Found Out.
The Atlantic Opponents of COVID vaccines terrorize grieving families on social media. My 6-year-old boy died in January. We lost him after a household accident, one likely brought on by a rare cerebral-swelling condition. Paramedics got his heart beating, but it was too late to save his brain. I could hold his hand, look at the […]
Mar 28, 2023
Why One Woman’s Family Began Drinking Bleach
Bloomberg Prognosis Anna was just home from her first year of college when her parents introduced her to a new health fad that they had learned about at church. It was called Miracle Mineral Solution. And taking it was a lot like taking your vitamins. It could prevent (and cure) a host of illnesses. In […]
Mar 14, 2023
An Ivermectin Influencer Died. Now His Followers Are Worried About Their Own ‘Severe’ Symptoms.
(Vice) Danny Lemoi took a daily dose of veterinary-grade ivermectin and told his thousands of followers to give the drug to children. He died of a common side effect of the medication. Just before 7 am on March 3, Danny Lemoi posted an update in his hugely popular pro-ivermectin Telegram group, Dirt Road Discussions: “HAPPY […]
Mar 14, 2023
Stella Immanuel Highest U.S. Prescriber of Ivermectin and HCQ
(MedPageToday) Stella Immanuel, MD, was the nation’s top prescriber of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin over the past 2 years, a MedPage Today analysis of prescription data has found. In 2021, Immanuel wrote just over 69,000 prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine — vastly above the average of 43 prescriptions in the database MedPage Today reviewed. Rheumatologists, who prescribe hydroxychloroquine for autoimmune diseases, wrote […]
Mar 14, 2023
New Idaho Bill Would Criminalize Anyone Administering Covid-19 mRNA Vaccines
(Forbes) If two Idaho state lawmakers get their way, it would become a criminal misdemeanor to administer a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine in Idaho. Yep, you heard that correctly. State Senator Tammy Nichols and State Representative Judy Boyle, both Republicans, have co-sponsored House Bill (HB) 154 for Idaho, otherwise known as the “Gem State.” Yeah, this bill is […]
Feb 21, 2023
Memes, Tweets, Snark Are the FDA’s New Public Health Weapons
(Bloomberg) FDA commissioner has made social media a key part of outreach. Agency aims to counter misinformation without amplifying it. When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during a National Football League game in January, dozens of Twitter trolls quickly blamed it on Covid-19 shots. “Snake-oil salesmen” seized on the event, said Food and Drug Administration Commissioner […]
Feb 14, 2023
