SSN Commentary

The Dangers of Political Stupidity in College the Spread of Fake News About COVID-19 Puts Students at Risk

Policy field

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University of Southern California

Originally published as "The Dangers of Political Stupidity in College the Spread of Fake News About COVID-19 Puts Students at Risk", Curious, August 11, 2020.

Gargling with warm water and vinegar is a coronavirus cure, children are immune from the disease, hydroxychloroquine prevents Covid-19, the Chinese government created the virus to prevent overpopulation, 99% of the cases are totally harmless, it was developed and patented by Bill Gates in a scheme to profit from the sale of vaccines, it’s a hoax cooked up by the liberal media to embarrass conservatives, chemical cleaners decontaminate surfaces infected by the coronavirus so drinking bleach will do the same for people.

The coronavirus pandemic has unleashed a torrent of dangerous social media lies. Millions of college students are being overwhelmed by a steady stream of online disinformation, political bullying, medical quackery, baseless conspiracies, and spiteful cruelty.