Misinformation: a public health crisis in Canada
Misinformation: a public health crisis
In May, researchers at Carleton University in Ottawa found that 46% of Canadians surveyed believed in at least one of four common conspiracy theories related to COVID-19:
• That a nasal rinse with saline solution can prevent infection;
• that drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, which have no positive effect on COVID-19 patients, can cure the virus;
• That the virus was created artificially in a laboratory in China; and
• That the virus is being deliberately spread to cover up the alleged adverse effects of 5G connectivity technology.
Anti-mask and anti-vaccination feelings are also common, with some Canadian citizens protesting the mandatory wearing of masks in public areas. Academics have suggested that changing government health guidelines, public uncertainty about the science behind the virus and infection control strategies, lockdown fatigue, and the economic downturn associated with lockdown measures have all contributed to the spread of conspiracy theories - another study, conducted on McGill University in Montreal, found that people who use social media as their primary news source are more likely to encounter and believe misinformation and conspiracy theories.
About 16% of Canadians get their news mainly from social media sources. Associate Professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University Taylor Owen, co-author of the study, said: “There is growing evidence that misinformation circulating on social media poses risks to public health. This makes it even more important for policymakers and social media platforms to flatten the curve of disinformation. "
Aengus Bridgman, another co-author of the study and a PhD student in political science at McGill, added, “Platforms like Twitter and Facebook are increasingly becoming the main sources of news and misinformation for Canadians and people around the world. However, in the context of a crisis like COVID-19, there is good reason to be concerned about the role social media consumption plays in fueling misconceptions."
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