Resume
Infodemic, Hoaxes, and Disinformation in the Era of COVID-19 and the Mirroring of the Present
PhDr. Pavel Böhm, Ph.D., MSc., MBA, Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Health Sciences and Population Protection, nám. Sítná 3105, Kladno, Czech Republic
Bc. Jakub Lauterbach, Hospital Žatec, o.p.s., Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit, Husova 2796, 43801 Žatec, Czech Republic
Abstract
The paper discusses the issue of the infodemic that arose with the COVID-19 pandemic and the disease itself, focusing on vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Psychosocial and behavioural factors associated with scepticism about the coronavirus and the spread of disinformation about vaccination are offered, which follow the issue of conspiracy theories, and their impact on the pandemic and health care. Finally, legal options of fighting against the spread of disinformation in selected countries and in the Czech Republic are mentioned.
Disinformation generally deepens people’s conspiratorial mindset and builds distrust in government bodies, scientific institutions, and authorities. The same or similar arguments are now appearing on the topic of the conflict in Ukraine. In principle, the same mechanisms are used as during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating the same threats to society.
The paper provides basic information about the COVID-19 disease and vaccination and explains the factors associated with scepticism against vaccination and the coronavirus. Part of the submitted text is part of the final thesis on the topic: “Dangerous Hoaxes Associated with Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2”.
Keywords: hoax, disinformation, conspiracy, COVID-19, online, protection, healthcare.