Coronavirus Disease-2019 Conspiracy Theories are Alive and Breathing on the Internet.
Misinformation and conspiracy theories have thrived on the Internet since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of this writing nearly 64.3% of total US population received one coronavirus disease (COVID) vaccine meanwhile 55.3% received two COVID vaccine doses. With a more than adequate supply of the COVID vaccine within the US territory; why isn’t the US at 100% immunization rate? The origins of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID vaccines are both unknown to the layperson. These unknowns offer many opportunities for misinformation messaging to the layperson.
Hundreds of scientists have worked for decades on mRNA technology. Initially, the premise of this technology was to disrupt defective or missing proteins. Not only was this technology a sign of hope for rare diseases, but also in oncology treatment research. Using mRNA technology was and still is a prospective mechanism to attack tumor cells. As of Summer 2021, Moderna, the International acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine initiative (IAVI) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have already started Phase I experimental trials on a mRNA human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) vaccine candidate. The mRNA HIV vaccine candidate should stimulate B cells of the immune system to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.
The internet may flourish with misinformation and conspiracy theories but scientists must publish evidence-based data to educate the public to neutralize many of the social media-related COVID fallacies we see daily. The internet, for better or worse, has become a venue for those who prey on COVID-related insecurities and fears.
Epidemiol Open J. 2022; 7(1): 1-2. doi: 10.17140/EPOJ-7-126
