The Los Angeles Post

Tracking COVID-19 misinformation

by · Published · Updated

Almost 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe or are unsure of at least one false statement about COVID-19, according to polling data published Monday.

The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that 78 percent of U.S. adults surveyed said they believe or were unsure of at least one of eight false COVID-19 statements that the organization tested.

Some of the false statements:

  • 38 percent believe the government is exaggerating the number of COVID-19 deaths
  • 17 percent believe pregnant women should not get the vaccine
  • 18 percent believe deaths caused by the vaccine are being hidden by the government

Big picture: The survey results highlight the problem of misinformation in the battle against COVID-19, which has been a leading concern in efforts to get more people vaccinated. KFF states in an analysis of the data that it shows “belief in pandemic-related misinformation is widespread.”

Among unvaccinated people, 64 percent believed or were unsure about four or more of the false statements. That was significantly lower among vaccinated people, at 19 percent.

Among Republicans, 46 percent believed or were unsure about four or more false statements, compared to 14 percent of Democrats.