Information and updates about the spread of the coronavirus come fast and furious these days, with “news” about who’s at risk, how to protect yourself and possible ”cures” being regularly spouted by newscasters and politicians. But not all of that “news” is factual or accurate, and there are many myths and outright falsehoods floating around that are not only useless but potentially dangerous. Why is the COVID-19 pandemic being accompanied by a misinformation pandemic? There are lots of possible reasons, including our longing for some certainty and security in a moment of panic, as well as tricks being played with our cognition with information that appears trustworthy or repeated so frequently that it must be true. But, think carefully- much of what you’re hearing could be nonsense. The challenge is determining what is, and is not, factual.

In addition to relying on trustworthy sources for your news, you can look to many of these same sources to weed out the myths and falsehoods. For example, The World Health Organization has a section of its website devoted to busting coronavirus myths. And there are many other reliable websites that help you sort out the truth from fiction, most of which are updated and revised daily to reflect the most current and accurate information. So, for example, such reliable sources at The Guardian from London and CNN have dedicated posts designed to dispel myths about COVID-19 and to answer some of your most pertinent questions, including such topics as facial masks, pet and mosquito transmission, transmission through packages and how temperature affects the vitality of the virus. Dedicated and reliable medical sites, such as Medical News Today, are also working to bust prevalent myths, including warnings about disinfecting yourself without putting your health at risk.

If you prefer your news via video, the BBC has regular video updates dispelling the latest untruths and misinformation. Wired magazine also has a valuable video of Dr. Seema Yasmin, director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative at Stanford University, debunking myths and providing accurate info about many of your coronavirus questions.

And finally, speaking of inaccuracies- you may have heard promotions for the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a way to treat COVID-19 infections. Not only is there scant scientific evidence to support this, but its use can be downright harmful and it’s availability then diminished for patients with other diseases who can benefit from it. Want to know more about the mischief behind this myth? Put on your reading glasses and click here.