Fact-checking misinformation about COVID-19

Scientists are moving quickly to uncover new information about the novel coronavirus. However, their work also includes fighting back against the spread of misinformation.

A survey from the Pew Research Center earlier this year revealed that 48 percent of respondents had seen at least some fake news about the COVID-19 outbreak. The spread of misinformation has reached the point of international involvement, and the United Nations has launched the Pause campaign, asking people to stop and analyze information before sharing it. 

Meanwhile, fake information isn’t the only thing spreading. Twenty-two states and two U.S. territories have reported at least one record-high day of confirmed cases since July 1.

On Monday, MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with an epidemiologist and emergency room doctor about the latest news on infection spread and treatment of the virus. They also talked about their work in addressing misinformation about COVID-19 and answered listener questions about what’s fact and what’s fiction.

Guests:

• Dr. Craig Spencer is the director of global health in emergency medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

• Dr. Seema Yasmin is a multimedia reporter, medical doctor, poet and director of Stanford Health Communication.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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