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Early results, Caulfield said, show misinformation and conspiracy theories promoting the pandemic as a hoax and misinformation on the origin of the spread. Caulfield, however, is focusing on misinformation around cures or treatments for COVID-19.

David Bloom/Postmedia

“It causes real harm, you know, people have died as a result of misinformation associated with the pandemic,” said Caulfield. “It may result in people wasting time, money and energy, you know, on things that don’t work. It adds to the chaotic information environment and I think people will resonate with that.”

On Wednesday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, warned people against taking antibiotics, anti-viral and anti-malarial drugs for COVID-19 and reiterated there is no cure or vaccine for the new disease. She also called on family doctors and pharmacists not to prescribe these drugs for COVID-19.

“Any misuse stockpiling or inappropriate prescribing or dispensing should not happen,” said Hinshaw. “Let this be a call to all of us trusted to prescribe and dispense medication. We, above all others, must remember to put our trust and faith in evidence-based care.”

Meanwhile, Caulfield said he is hoping to have his first results published within the coming weeks. For now, he said the best way to protect yourself against misinformation is to simply pause and take a moment to reflect on the information you’re reading or seeing.

“Think before you share, you know. The public can play a really important role in stopping the spread of misinformation by just pausing and thinking before they share,” said Caulfield.

dshort@postmedia.com

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