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SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, and the debunking of conspiracy theories.
- Source :
-
Reviews in medical virology [Rev Med Virol] 2021 Nov; Vol. 31 (6), pp. e2222. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 14. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- The emergence of a novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has engaged considerable awareness and attention around the world. The associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has now involved virtually all 200 countries. The total number of confirmed cases has been much more than in the two previous outbreaks of human coronaviruses, that is, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. In line with the outbreak escalation, false information about SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease disseminated globally, particularly through online and social media. Believers in conspiracy theories promote misinformation that the virus is not contagious, is the result of laboratory manipulation or is created to gain profit by distributing new vaccines. The most dangerous effect of this widely disseminated misinformation is it will negatively influence the attitudes and behaviours for preventive measures to contain the outbreak. In this review, I discuss common conspiracy theories associated with SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 and consider how we can address and counterbalance these issues based on scientific information and studies.<br /> (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- COVID-19 prevention & control
COVID-19 transmission
COVID-19 virology
Humans
Politics
Prejudice psychology
SARS-CoV-2 physiology
Scientific Misconduct ethics
Social Media ethics
COVID-19 epidemiology
COVID-19 Vaccines administration & dosage
Mass Vaccination psychology
SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity
Vaccination Refusal psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1099-1654
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Reviews in medical virology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33586302
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/rmv.2222