A two-step guide to busting misinformation

New norms have been established during this pandemic: social distancing, wearing masks, working from home. One additional constant is the need to take in new information and evolve our thinking and actions accordingly.

As physician-scientists in training, we are called to offer recommendations on how to digest this persistent influx of information. Start by asking two questions when encountering new information:

First, ask yourself: “What does this person have to gain by sharing this information?” If the person selling you lemonade says theirs is the best, they have a conflict of interest because they profit off you buying their lemonade. Identify a person’s conflicts of interest to understand why they want you to believe the information they are sharing.

Second, ask: “What is the source of this information?” Pay attention to what disease experts themselves say about the most- recent science to avoid skewing of pandemic-related information. Following them on Twitter is a great way to do this, or you can locate the original source of the information — research articles — online, too. Contact the authors of an article, or your primary care physician to discuss new information and address your concerns.

As physician- scientist trainees, we want to engage with you while we all grapple with the situation we are in and the challenges we continue to face. We hope these questions will enable you to locate information that will stand by itself without the subtle changes that result from personal bias. Use them and confidently separate fact from fiction.

GABRIELLE GLIBER

East Liberty The letter was also signed by Marisa Millenson and Geyon Garcia. The writers are medical students at the University of Pittsburgh.