Spreading of Lies and Deception About COVID-19 Essay

Main Concepts

To correctly and accurately determine the works’ meaning, essence, and message, it is necessary to highlight the following main thesis and critical points. Thus, the first paper is devoted to assessing the impacts and various kinds of effects on the minds of citizens due to the spread of lies and deception about COVID-19. This article illustrates the importance and significance of appealing to reason and critical thinking in the 21st century, preventing a person from succumbing to provocations and manipulations (Student’s Name, 2022). Accordingly, the central core of the second work is to highlight the situation of misinformation about the coronavirus and the positive impact of resistance on eradicating this problem. Perhaps resilience is one of the most significant aspects of the fight against COVID-19 and unconfirmed facts about the virus (Khan, 2022). The following article notes the developing trend of the spread of slander against the coronavirus vaccine and conspiracy theories being built around the causes, factors, and consequences during the pandemic in Nigeria (Wonodi et al., 2022). Misinformation and conspiracy theories are a widespread concern around the globe, requiring urgent development of a strategy to raise awareness and understanding of the vaccination process.

Summary of the Key Points

The key elements affecting the basis, essence, structure, and content of the three articles are misinformation and the dissemination of deliberately false news about COVID-19 and its derived components. Each of the works covers this trouble exhaustively and comprehensively, demonstrates fears and concerns about this phenomenon, and suggests possible ways to cope with the “ailment” widespread throughout the world. Misinformation about COVID-19, used for political, racist, xenophobic, sexist, or other purposes, contributes to the polarization and strengthening of hatred – when global unity is needed more than ever. It is reported that the misinformation accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have negative and sometimes fatal consequences in an increasing number of cases.

Connections

It should be emphasized that there is a reasonably close, deep, and stable connection between the three reliable and relevant articles. Primarily, one should start with the fact that these are research articles that have a general narrative structure, which begins with an introduction to the topic and ends with a generalization of statements. Each of the authors sets a single goal – to investigate the impact of disinformation on people, the consequences of these phenomena, and urge the public to make drastic changes.

In addition, the articles are united by a common essence – to explain the specifics of the problem of spreading false rumors about COVID-19 and to develop a strategy against the issue. Disinformation and psychological influence are potent tools in “clouding the mind” of the people. Today, in the era of technology and the Internet, misinformation is spreading incredibly fast; it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to find the truth in times of “infodemic” (Khan, 2022). Furthermore, the conspiracy theories built around COVID-19 cause people to worry and fear when receiving the vaccine, causing even more significant difficulties with the health of citizens than from the perception of lies (Wonodi et al., 2022). The results showed that fear, uncertainty, and the spread of deliberately false news can reduce the effectiveness of general efforts to combat the virus. These moments contribute to the spread of nativist sentiments, and create favorable conditions for those who want to take advantage of the moment and split society.

It is imperative to consider that the information received provides a basis for starting to work in the field of development and decision-making in the fight against a common, global problem that has no borders. For instance, the statistics presented in one of the studies provide a basis for an active and continuous fight against disinformation through the formation and development of critical thinking (Student’s Name, 2022). Moreover, Khan (2022) agrees with this statement and insists on addressing resilience. Wonodi et al. (2022) support their “colleagues” in this case and offer to engage in a program to improve information about COVID-19, vaccines, and other components. Indeed, these researchers paved a different path in achieving the goal but came to the same conclusions about unfavorable results due to misinformation.

Individual Reflections on the Material

Summing up the above, I would like to express my personal view in relation to the studied material on the basis of the topic I am researching. In my opinion, the COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps one of the loudest shocks in the 21st century, which caused a comprehensive public response. Furthermore, vaccines against coronavirus are also a highly ambiguous phenomenon. There are still many rumors that are not supported by factual and objective data; more and more new data may be published every year, month, and day. Indeed, in such a flow of information, people sometimes have a hard time coping with themselves; some succumb to feelings and emotions, and some look at things with a sober look, separating the absolute truth from the ordinary tale. Undoubtedly, there is no point in looking for those who are right and to blame because humanity has already gotten used to living with the understanding that the virus can be anywhere, waiting around any corner. Nonetheless, in this case, it is only essential to have patience and determination and start taking steps as soon as possible to combat misinformation and raise awareness about the picture of the situation.

References

Student’s Name. (2022). Continued influence of misinformation in times of COVID‐19. Unpublished manuscript. University, City, State.

Khan, A. N. (2022). Misinformation and work‐related outcomes of healthcare community: Sequential mediation role of COVID‐19 threat and psychological distress. Journal of Community Psychology, 50(2), pp. 944-964. Web.

Wonodi, C., Obi-Jeff, C., Adewumi, F., Keluo-Udeke, S. C., Gur-Arie, R., Krubiner, C.,… & Faden, R. (2022). Conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID-19 in Nigeria: Implications for vaccine demand generation communications. Vaccine, 40(13), pp. 2114-2121. Web.