How To Avoid Being Duped By Medical Disinformation

Forbes September 23, 2024
Arthur L. Kellermann

America is awash in disinformation on topics ranging from politics and business to science and healthcare. Last month, a highly educated friend sent me a text message that alarmed him. Upon reading it, I immediately suspected that it was a hoax.

Here are some of the red flags:

1. The message claims to be a “CDC Advisory,” but the logo is wrong. Also, federal agencies don’t issue headlines with multiple exclamation marks.
2. Referring to the virus as a “COVID-Omicron XBB” variant and comparing its effects to the earlier Delta variant provide a veneer of credibility, but the illusion is wrecked by typographical errors, nonsensical clinical effects and odd guidance.
3. The message’s alarming tone and insistence that it should be widely...

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