This is actually quite fascinating. The study had nothing to do with measuring deaths - what the scientists did was look at the types and number of 'infodemics' (i.e. myths) spreading on social media early this yearhttps://twitter.com/whereisdaz/status/1293667377960296448 …
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They found three types of 'infodemic' - rumours, conspiracy theories, and stigma The biggest numerically was rumours. I'm sure you all remember the type (hot water KILLS coronavirus)pic.twitter.com/fiiCAejtPE
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Thus far it's interesting and useful research, but not as big a story as "hundreds dead" Well, in the discussion, the authors cited some Iranian news stories that said that hundreds had died after drinking methanolpic.twitter.com/XlX5hP6wu5
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So the actual figures here are deaths from ONE cause from ONE country In other words, a VAST underestimate Also, not the main point of the research!
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If this was the death toll from misinformation in Iran, imagine what it must be worldwide. Remember the guy who died after taking fish parasite medicine?
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Anyway, study is here if you're interested: http://www.ajtmh.org/docserver/fulltext/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0812/tpmd200812.pdf?expires=1597270880&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=7D611858BAE58A698C899166631CA224 …
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(And yes, it's a bit ironic that a study about misinformation would be somewhat incorrectly represented in the media as a study about deaths)
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