The Corona Virus and Disinformation

Ed note:  Just in case you thought there was one safe topic free of disinformation in the infosphere, here are two articles that, yes (surprise!), there are those attempting to use the Corona Virus crisis as a means to not only undermine the West but to place the blame on the U.S.  Hint:  Expect to see and hear more of this!  Of course, we should always stomp on disinformation when we see it but hard to see this happening in our current environment.

From the AFP:

Russia-linked disinformation campaign fueling coronavirus alarm, US says

“Thousands of Russian-linked social media accounts have launched a coordinated effort to spread alarm about the new coronavirus, disrupting global efforts to fight the epidemic, US officials say.

The disinformation campaign promotes unfounded conspiracy theories that the United States is behind the COVID-19 outbreak, in an apparent bid to damage the US image around the world by seizing on health concerns.”

Ed note:  Gotta love the new term coined below:  Infodemic which I plan to weave into my vocabulary.

From The Lancet:

“Addressing the Munich Security Conference on Feb 15, 2020, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “we’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic.” The ease through which inaccuracies and conspiracies can be repeated and perpetuated via social media and conventional outlets puts public health at a constant disadvantage.”