The COVID-19 Infodemic*

García-Saisó et al.

[Extract]

The term “infodemic” combines the terms “information” and “epidemic” and refers to an excess of information (both true and false) that makes it difficult for people to access reliable sources and obtain valid guidance when it becomes most necessary for decision-making. An infodemic also involves a large increase in the volume of information on a given topic, which can increase exponentially in a very short time when an incident such as the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. In this situation, scientific and technical information becomes mixed with rumors, manipulated data, fake expertise, incorrect information, and false and biased news, hindering the recipient’s ability to process and judge it all.

Article's language
English
Editorial