Nelson Alberto Atehortua|Stella Patino
COVID-19, a tale of two pandemics: novel coronavirus and fake news messaging
Jackson State University|Jackson State University
emergence covid19 caused novel coronavirus sarscov2 became pandemic 10 weeks without effective medications vaccines available authorities turned toward mitigation measures use face masks schools closings shelterinplace telework social distancing people found refuge internet social media apps however proliferation instant messaging containing hoaxed deliberate misleading information fake news messaging fnm aim study assess fnm content analysis discriminate proposed taxonomy structure sample convenience messages memes tweets cartoons several languages selected popular social media outlets ie facebook whatsapp twitter etc 300 fnm identified descriptive statistics used highlighting potential relationships variables content analysis determined fnm could divided health nonhealthrelated types several subtypes considering limited religious beliefs politics economy nutrition behaviors prevention infection origin disease conspiracy theories parallel fnm pandemic affected response already debilitated public health system confusion created community erosion credibility genuine media public health practitioners face peoples unpredictable behaviors panic tensions communities cases hostile climate toward frontline workers public health practitioners must adjust ongoing future health promotion education interventions including plans neutralize fake news messages