Abstract
Conflicting information surrounding COVID-19 abounds, from disagreement over the effectiveness of face masks in preventing viral transmission to competing claims about the promise of certain treatments. Despite the potential for conflicting information about COVID-19 to produce adverse public health effects, little is known about whether the U.S. public notices this information, and whether certain population subgroups are particularly likely to do so. To address these questions, we fielded a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults in late April 2020 (N = 1,007). Results showed substantial self-reported exposure to conflicting information about COVID-19, with nearly 75% of participants reporting having recently heard such information from health experts, politicians, and/or others. Participants perceived disagreement across a range of COVID-19-related issues, though from politicians more than health experts. Factors including political affiliation, information source use, and personal experience with COVID-19 were associated with perceptions of disagreement. Future research should consider potential cognitive and behavioral consequences of such perceptions.
Highlights
On February 15, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned, “We’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic” [1]
Ghebreyesus was referring to the proliferation of information, and misinformation, about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes, COVID-19
The rapid spread of inaccurate information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 via social media and in other spaces poses a clear threat to public understanding and decision making
Summary
On February 15, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned, “We’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic” [1]. Ghebreyesus was referring to the proliferation of information, and misinformation, about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes, COVID-19. The rapid spread of inaccurate information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 via social media and in other spaces poses a clear threat to public understanding and decision making. While much attention to date has been directed toward documenting. Public perceptions of conflicting information about COVID-19
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
