Why the media got it wrong on Coronavirus
Apr. 14th, 2020 06:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
osewalrusThis is fairly important. When dealing with a new disease, it is important for reporters to recognize that even trusted institutions and experts have limited data and that things that initially thought accurate might turn out to be wrong. For example, back in February, everyone in the medical profession was arguing for people to not wear masks as a routine precaution. Now they are mandatory here in Montgomery County, MD. Because we now have more information and the guidance changed.
https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/4/13/21214114/media-coronavirus-pandemic-coverage-cdc-should-you-wear-masks
The problem is there is often a serious lag in public perception. Early analogies to the flu became fixed in people's minds. Statements about how the disease would retreat in warm weather were taken as a given without any supporting proof. It was a theory based on how influenza behaves. But it has not been born out so far.
All of which raises an even more uncomfortable question. How do we expect platforms to proactively prevent false information if the media and experts are consistently getting it wrong?
https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/4/13/21214114/media-coronavirus-pandemic-coverage-cdc-should-you-wear-masks
The problem is there is often a serious lag in public perception. Early analogies to the flu became fixed in people's minds. Statements about how the disease would retreat in warm weather were taken as a given without any supporting proof. It was a theory based on how influenza behaves. But it has not been born out so far.
All of which raises an even more uncomfortable question. How do we expect platforms to proactively prevent false information if the media and experts are consistently getting it wrong?
