Our dependence on news and information these days feels unprecedented. To keep ourselves safe, aware, and up-to-date on the latest news regarding the pandemic almost requires a herculean effort, as updates and revisions seem to come at lightning speed. Virtually from the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, agebuzz has tried to keep readers up-to-date with accurate information about the virus as well as with warnings about misinformation concerning everything from protective measures to potential treatments. But to borrow a phrase from The World Health Organization, we’re all experiencing “an infodemic”, i.e., an overabundance of information and the rapid spread of misleading or fabricated news, images, and videos pertaining to the coronavirus. While there’s no vaccine to protect us from this spread, there are ways to better prevent its infiltration.

First, what’s the scope of this problem? It’s really massive and worldwide. All across the globe, efforts to contain the spread of COVID and limit the number of deaths have been hampered by everything from misleading statements from world leaders to the viral spread of scams and falsehoods on social media. Doctors report like never before that they are being besieged by patients with misperceptions and false beliefs acquired through online sources or their social circles. While some may use denial as a way to cope with the enormity of this pandemic, others rationalize their disbelief and unwillingness to take precautions by pointing to the info in their social circles that seems to confirm their unfounded biases. It’s hard to shake a falsehood if it’s being regularly circulated in your sources of news and information.

And older adults, in particular, seem more vulnerable to swallowing misinformation or being taken in by viral social media falsehoods. A recent Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times by Harvard psychologists Nadia Brashier and Daniel Schacter cited a study of the 2016 presidential election that found that older age was the strongest predictor of engagement with fake news and that Facebook users over age 65 were nearly 7x more likely to share a false story than younger users. There are many possible reasons for this, including unquestioning trust in what your friends or family share as well as a declining ability to single out liars as you get older. As well, some of us may be less familiar with the sort of sensationalized content that regularly surfaces online and lures us in with “clickbait” headlines. 

So how do you protect yourself (and your loved ones) from the viral spreads of untruths and misinformation about the coronavirus? There’s a lot of useful and simple advice to follow. Regarding emails you may receive asking for personal info for such activities as tracking the virus or alerting you to vaccine availability, the first suggestion is to exercise skepticism and use caution, even if you think you know the sender. You’re likely to be lured in with subject lines related to COVID but before you open anything or pass it on to someone else, make sure you verify the sender and source and never ever click on a link if you’re not sure of the legitimacy of the email. For information you read on the internet, there is something called “The SIFT Methodology,” which means you need to stop, investigate the sources, find confirmation on other reliable sources, and trace info back to its original source. There are even free online courses available to help you sort through the legitimate from the illegitimate. 

And continue to stay on guard even as time goes on and the virus becomes more contained. Scams that leave you at risk with untruths or that threaten to separate you from your personal info or money are ongoing and inevitable during this time, and the economic hard times that are accompanying the pandemic only make the barrage of false info more confounding and comprehensive. As reported in Axios, people have had their financial assistance stolen along with being peddled fake cures. So, before you part with your money or share unverified info with friends and family, be cautious and constrained and confirm the legitimacy of what you’re about to do.