It was so good to be in the same room with so many nurse colleagues instead of just sharing a screen. We were all excited and grateful for the opportunity to catch up, to share pandemic insights and war stories. And then there was that uncomfortable exchange-my nurse colleague asked whether I had been vaccinated. "Of course," I replied, "and you?" "No, I am not certain that it is right for me especially with the latest findings that the COVID-19 vaccine magnetizes the body. You did see the physician on TV presenting her findings at a government meeting?" My mind raced. How could I respond yet keep things cordial? Should I deny knowing this theory and risk opening the door for more misinformation? Should I acknowledge that I saw the physician presenting this theory that had no basis in science and that I also saw a nurse defending magnetizing by trying to stick a house key to her neck?1 Should I risk offending her by expressing concern for her health? Despite my deep desire to debunk disinformation and defend science, I took the cowardly way out-I resorted to humor, "Hmm, I could use a little magnetism. Perhaps the vaccine will improve my personality and prevent me from misplacing my keys." She did not laugh but neither did she walk away, and we continued to converse on other topics.
COVID-19 produced not only a pandemic but also an infodemic. Traditional media and social media were flooded with information concerning public health strategies, vaccine development, mortality and morbidity statistics, as well as disinformation and conspiracy theories related to causal factors and treatments.
In a 2020 multinational study with 8806 respondents, De Coninck et al2 investigated how conspiracy theories and misinformation beliefs are associated with specific information sources and psychological states such as depression. Across the 8 countries participating in the study, respondents from the United States, Hong Kong, and the Philippines reported the highest rates of conspiracy and disinformation beliefs, although US participants overall had the highest levels of education. Furthermore, respondents exposed primarily to traditional media, that is, television and newspapers that abide by journalistic rules, had lower conspiracy/misinformation beliefs than those with exposure to digital/social media, politicians, and personal contacts. Lower conspiracy beliefs were correlated with exposure to health professionals, and those with higher depression scores were more likely to report conspiracy and misinformation beliefs.
Nurses must validate information sources, champion truth, and rely on nursing's traditional scientific base. It is painful to see nurses rejecting science, which puts patients at risk. In this post pandemic phase, let us seek reputable information and experts, clarify the confusion that accompanies scientific discovery and use the lessons of COVID-19 to prepare for the next pandemic.
- Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCPP
Editor in Chief
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