I don't think you'd be surprised to find out.....

[rambot]

that the research (ie...NOT the OP, NOT some opinion, NOT some random youtube video) has discovered the, likely the largest source of misinformation regarding COVID, being put into the cultural Zeitgeist, came from Donald Trump.

What drove the COVID misinformation 'infodemic’? - Alliance for Science

The study, which evaluated 38 million articles published by English-language, traditional media worldwide, identified over 1.1 million news articles that disseminated, amplified or reported on misinformation related to the pandemic. The misinformation conversation was dominated by 11 primary topics, ranging from conspiracy theories to attacks against Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“We were interested in exploring this issue because the World Health Organization has identified COVID misinformation, which it termed an ‘infodemic’, as a serious concern in fighting the pandemic,” said lead author Sarah Evanega, director of the Cornell Alliance for Science. “If people are misled by unscientific and unsubstantiated claims about the disease, they may be less likely to observe official guidance and thus risk spreading the virus.”

The most popular topic was what study authors termed “miracle cures.” This topic appeared in 295,351 articles — more than the other 10 topics combined.

The study found that comments by US President Donald Trump drove major spikes in the “miracle cures” misinformation topic, led by his April 24 musing about the possibility of using disinfectants internally to cure the coronavirus. Trump’s advocacy of unproven treatments such as hydroxychloroquine, as well as his admission that he was using the drug in an attempt to stave off the virus, also prompted major spikes in the misinformation conversation.

These findings suggest that President Trump was quite likely the largest driver of misinformation during the COVID pandemic to date, the study authors noted.

For the folks who feel that Trump played a very strong and competent role in dealing with COVID, how does this research and data play into your understanding of his competency?

 

[Der Alte]

that the research (ie...NOT the OP, NOT some opinion, NOT some random youtube video) has discovered the, likely the largest source of misinformation regarding COVID, being put into the cultural Zeitgeist, came from Donald Trump.
What drove the COVID misinformation 'infodemic’? - Alliance for Science
For the folks who feel that Trump played a very strong and competent role in dealing with COVID, how does this research and data play into your understanding of his competency?

You call this conclusive? "These findings suggest that President Trump was quite likely the largest driver of misinformation."

 

[SeventyOne]

Considering Fauci pushed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in 2005 as effective against SARS CoV, it's really not a big stretch to later push it as effective against this one. It's only considered misinformation now because it fell out of favor with those who would rather push this dangerous vaccine. Fortunately, there are still docs who will prescribe it for the virus, and places still willing to dispense it.

 

[Hank77]

Considering Fauci pushed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in 2005 as effective against SARS CoV,

He did? Could you provide a source for that statement please?

Fact check: Fauci did not approve hydroxychloroquine as a cure in 2005

 

[Ringo84]

Wouldn't it be so much easier to just say, "You know....Trump was wrong. He lied and frittered while Americans were getting sick and dying in droves"? It's really not that hard to admit a mistake.
Ringo

 

[rambot]

You call this conclusive? "These findings suggest that President Trump was quite likely the largest driver of misinformation."

it's more conclusive than the researched evidence to the contrary.

 

[Der Alte]

it's more conclusive than the researched evidence to the contrary.

 

[Bradskii]

I remember this guy. He was president for 4 years I believe. A chap called Biden beat him in a landslide.

 

[rambot]

View attachment 296689

You've provided a robust defense.

Excelsior.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Kinda undermines the narrative that Trump was never the best at anything.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

You call this conclusive? "These findings suggest that President Trump was quite likely the largest driver of misinformation."

Everything I read . We seen it from Trumps mouth. This is no surprise at all. Trump did everything in his power to increase COVID-19.

 

[Guinan]

Everything I read . We seen it from Trumps mouth. This is no surprise at all. Trump did everything in his power to increase COVID-19.

He was a super spreader himself and his rallies were contributed to the spread of the virus too.

Trump's Covid contacts: Who has he met and who's tested positive?

How Many People Has Donald Trump Already Infected With COVID-19?

Study: Trump Rallies Linked To Over 700 Covid-19 Coronavirus Deaths, Here Are The Caveats

Trump campaign rallies led to more than 30,000 coronavirus cases, Stanford researchers say

 

[rambot]

It's bothersome that him essentially "Staying out of the way" is the best argument his supporters give for the work that was getting done.

Nevermind that there is already some anecdotal evidence that his administration didn't even do THAT.

 

[DaisyDay]

Considering Fauci pushed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in 2005 as effective against SARS CoV, it's really not a big stretch to later push it as effective against this one. It's only considered misinformation now because it fell out of favor with those who would rather push this dangerous vaccine. Fortunately, there are still docs who will prescribe it for the virus, and places still willing to dispense it.

There are now three vaccines in use in the US. None are dangerous, but the virus is.

Also dangerous are people who push lies and disinformation.

 

[rambot]

Considering Fauci pushed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in 2005 as effective against SARS CoV, it's really not a big stretch to later push it as effective against this one. It's only considered misinformation now because it fell out of favor with those who would rather push this dangerous vaccine. Fortunately, there are still docs who will prescribe it for the virus, and places still willing to dispense it.

This kind of post makes research seem unimportant and arbitrary as opposed to stringent and worthy of consideration.

I would wager the docs who are prescribing it are likely doing it in certain populations where the possible negative side effects do not outweigh the efficacy of the meds in that particular clinical situation.

I would wager that a lot of the language around hydroxy in the press has likely been a bit impresice.

 

[Der Alte]

I remember this guy. He was president for 4 years I believe. A chap called Biden beat him in a landslide.

Electoral college. 306 to 232
Popular vote. 81.2 mill 51.3% to 74.2 mill 46.8%
Is hardly a landslide.

 

[whatbogsends]

Electoral college. 306 to 232
Popular vote. 81.2 mill 51.3% to 74.2 mill 46.8%
Is hardly a landslide.

You might want to tell it to this guy, who won with essentially the same electoral college margin, but lost the popular vote...

Trump Thought 306 Electoral Votes Was a 'Slaughter' Back Then | NowThis - YouTube

Of course, Trump keeps claiming it was 306 to 223 (it was 304 to 227).

 

[Bradskii]

Electoral college. 306 to 232
Popular vote. 81.2 mill 51.3% to 74.2 mill 46.8%
Is hardly a landslide.

I'm just going by what the other guy said: 'we had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the electoral college, I guess the final number 306'. Biden On Track For What Trump Once Called ‘Massive Landslide’ Electoral College Victory

I guess he wrong.