US Surgeon General issues alert about misinformation as delta variant cases rise

On Thursday, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released his initial advisory to alert the American public about the pressing danger of health misinformation, as he becomes increasingly worried about its impact on vaccine hesitancy.

According to the advisory, "Health misinformation, including disinformation, has jeopardized the U.S. response to COVID-19 and continues to hinder vaccination efforts, prolonging the pandemic and endangering lives. It urges technology and social media companies to take greater responsibility in curbing the online spread of health misinformation," adding that nearly 70% of unvaccinated American adults have encountered at least one myth regarding the vaccine.

"Health misinformation poses a critical threat to public health. It fosters confusion, breeds mistrust, and undermines public health initiatives, including our efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic," Murthy stated. "From tech and social media platforms needing to do more to combat misinformation on their sites, to individuals recognizing and refraining from sharing falsehoods, addressing this issue requires a collective societal effort, which is essential for our nation's long-term health."

Murthy's announcement has already influenced cities nationwide, including Los Angeles, where the Department of Public Health reinstated a mask mandate effective this weekend due to a surge in COVID-19 cases associated with the delta variant.

Across the country, New York City has experienced several days with over 400 new COVID-19 cases and a doubled positivity rate, even with nearly 64% of adults fully vaccinated, according to The New York Times. The delta variant has emerged as the predominant strain in both the city and New Jersey, as reported by NBC News. Meanwhile, Springfield, Missouri, remains a COVID-19 hotspot, reporting nearly 2,000 new cases daily, which Mayor Ken McClure linked to misinformation spreading on social media.

"I'm concerned that the misinformation circulating is having a tangible impact that can be reflected in lives lost, which is truly tragic," the surgeon general stated during his Sunday appearance on CNN's "State of the Union."

On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised that everyone aged 2 and older should wear masks in schools this fall, regardless of their vaccination status.

"The AAP advocates for universal masking because many students are not yet eligible for vaccines, and wearing masks has been shown to reduce virus transmission and safeguard the unvaccinated," the organization noted. "Numerous schools lack a system to verify the vaccination status of students, teachers, and staff, and many communities have low vaccination rates, allowing the virus to spread more freely."

Murthy also urged Big Tech to "take action" and recognize their responsibility in the spread of misinformation.