The most important people in society during the pandemic were medical professionals. They worked tirelessly to save the lives and encourage the public to get vaccinated. The internet is full of misinformation about vaccines, and it seems that even medical professionals are not immune.AdvertisementCNBC has revealed that Doximity is a social media platform for doctors, with over 1.8 million members. This includes 80% of U.S. physicians. It spreads misinformation by professionals who claim to be scientifically literate. Doximity is a social media network for doctors. If you haven't heard of it, it's because you aren't a doctor. Only medical professionals are allowed to join the social network. Their credentials such as their hospital badge and medical license are also verified by the company. Users are also prohibited from posting their own content. Users can only comment on Doximity's content.This makes it more difficult to believe that misinformation is being shared because of the closed community and verification aspect. Doximity appears to be full of comments from doctors claiming that covid-19 vaccines can be dangerous, unproven, and experimental. Others refer to Dr. Anthony Fauci as Fauxi, the White Houses chief medical adviser.A surgeon repeated the lie that Tucker Carlson, Fox News host, had told in response to a June article on a federal judge who dismissed a lawsuit brought by employees at a Houston hospital that refused its mandated vaccines.According to CNBC, more than 4,000 people have died from the Covid-19 vaccines, the surgeon stated. It is murder to mandate a vaccine which has already killed more than 4,000 people.These assertions are false. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the three covid-19 vaccines that are used in the United States are safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration has granted them an emergency authorization. According to reports, the FDA will approve the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine fully in September. The CDC recommends that you still get vaccinated if you have had covid-19.Concerning the claim of 4,000 deaths, CDC examined the death reports and concluded that there was no causal link between COVID-19 vaccines and these deaths.AdvertisementHowever, the surgeons Doximity article is just the tip of an iceberg. CNBC reports that hundreds of comments have been left on articles on vaccines and masks on social media, with many being inaccurate or based upon conspiracy theories.These comments should not be posted on social networks, theoretically. Doximity's community guidelines prohibit any content that is contrary to widely accepted public-health guidelines. These include unverified claims about vaccine effectiveness and side effects, claims that public officials are knowingly disclosing false information, and claims that discourage good public behavior (e.g. social distancing and masking).AdvertisementCNBC received a statement from the company stating that although the exchange of views on emerging science and medical news is allowed, misinformation regarding medical issues was not.Doximity stated that, like most virtual communities, there are community guidelines to help ensure Doximity remains safe and respectful. To evaluate any member comments that may be misinformation, we use a strict clinical review process, which is staffed by doctors.AdvertisementMisinformation can be complicated, as we all know. It's not just about what is being said but also who is repeating it and how they influence others. As the Jan. 6 riot at Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump demonstrated, misinformation can also lead to disastrous results. Doximity: It's one thing to have guidelines; it's another to actually do something.Let's hope you take action before another crisis occurs.AdvertisementCNBC's excellent report on Doximity can be found here.
