Canada's Top Doc Says There Is An 'Infodemic' Of Untrue COVID-19 Rumours
While the country is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Theresa Tam has said that Canadians must also be aware of the spread of bad information.
In a September 28 statement, the Chief Public Health Officer noted that Canada is responding to COVID-19 in the midst of what she called an "infodemic."
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We must also be vigilant in our efforts to end the "infodemic."
Dr. Theresa Tam
Dr. Tam described this as "an overabundance of information about COVID-19, including rumours and misinformation, sometimes deliberately spread."
She said that public health authorities are working to make sure that everyone in the country has access to accurate and up-to-date facts.
The CPHO added that the use of social media platforms can allow misinformation to spread, and to always check if a source is credible before sharing something.
Dr. Tam urged people to check official websites from organizations like the World Health Organization and Red Cross, as well as the Government of Canada for trustworthy information.
She concluded by saying that false rumours can spread as quickly as a virus, and that everyone must remain vigilant in combatting both.
A study from McGill University found that Canadians who get their news from unofficial accounts were more susceptible to misinformation.