We need a diagnosis, Paging Dr. Internet. Mashable discusses the impact of the internet on our health, and suggests new approaches.
TikTok is an app that allows you to upload music, videos, and accurate medical information.
Medical professionals are increasingly using the app to dispel myths about COVID-19, infection rates, and COVID treatments. They also share information through short, engaging videos that can be accessed by those who need it. They provide a link that viewers can send to their stubborner friends and family members.
Officials, journalists, and health professionals have been fighting for years to stop the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a guide for combating misinformation. Other social media platforms like YouTube have gone as far as banning any content that contains vaccine misinformation.
TikTok took its own steps to ensure its users have the best information about COVID-19, the vaccine. Information centers with links to government resources, FAQs and videos from official medical organizations are all built into the app. Just search for "covid" and "covid vaccine" to find the top link. You can even find information banners in videos that contain the virus.
Creators are now responsible for correcting misinformation in comments and trending videos posted by other TikTok users. Below are eight accounts that actively share videos on the COVID vaccine, treatment and realities of medical science.
Kat explains the science behind vaccines. Credit: tiktok/ epidemiologistkat She responds to all science-related questions. Credit: tiktok/ epidemiologist
The EpidemiologistKat page provides information about the science behind COVID-19's spread and the vaccine. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and adjunct professor at University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health, is Katrine Wallace. TikTok allows her to share general information about COVID-19 and vaccines. She is also part of UNs Project Halo which is a group of scientists, doctors and other medical professionals sharing accurate information on COVID-19 vaccines. Kat's account is informative and engaging. It is great for viewers looking to share short, accurate, and research-filled videos with others.
Dr. Eric addresses misinformation in his comments section. Credit: tiktok/ Dr.ERIC.B He has made numerous videos about ivermectin. This is not a recommended treatment for COVID-19. Credit: tiktok/ Dr.Eric.b
Dr. Eric.B, a hospital physician is as tired as everyone else about vaccine misinformation, but he still posts it online every day to inform people when they are wrong. Dr. Eric Burnett is an expert in hospital and internal medicine. He is also an associate professor at Columbia University of clinical medicine and a member of Team Halo along with Wallace. His videos focus on conspiracies that he has shared in his comments section. They also debunk common misinformation regarding the vaccine and the treatment options. Burnett also warns his followers about fellow creators spreading dangerous misinformation via the app.
Williams directs viewers to get vaccinated from her laboratory. Credit: tiktok/ Dr_asherwilliams There is no bad science on Williams' webpage. Credit: tik tok/ Dr_asherwilliams
Asher Williams, another member on Team Halo is using TikTok trends sounds and humor to combat vaccine misinformation. She also has years of experience in the field. Williams is a chemical engineer and researcher at Cornell who specializes in vaccine manufacturing. She was also formerly a NASA bioengineering intern. Williams shares the science behind vaccines. Williams' videos are informative and relatable for younger viewers. She mixes facts with Keke Palmer's voice or ABBA’s "Slipping Through My Fingers".
Blakney explores the history of vaccines, and diseases treatment. Credit: tiktok/anna.blakney There are some conspiracies that seem a bit too personal. Credit: tiktok/anna.blakney
Anna Blakney's account contains both memes and hard science, making it an excellent resource for anyone who wants to fight vaccine misinformation. Blakney, a researcher and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia is also a Team Halo ambassador. Blakney's videos include highlights from vaccine science and lab research, as well as explanations of virus variants and explainers about FDA approval. To provide deeper science explanations on vaccines, she also launched her YouTube channel. Check out her first video about the history of mRNA in vaccine development. Blakney's videos are similar to Bill Nye-esque science programs for children, but they can also be used by adults who want vaccines to be promoted.
Kim is focused on explaining research that may be confusing to people who don't have a medical background. Credit: tiktok/ christinaaaaaaaaanp Kim encourages people at high risk of severe COVID-19 complications to get vaccinated. Credit: tik tok/ christinaaaaaaanp
Christina Kim, a certified TikTok star and nurse practitioner, makes succinct science videos to her over 300,000. She has a background in biochemistry that aids her explanations of difficult-to-understand vaccine research, and is a Team Halo ambassador. Kim is a high-risk patient care provider and advocate for vaccinations. She has also treated patients with COVID-19 in her clinic by using monoclonal antibodies therapies. Kim's account includes quick rebuttals to common misinformation as well as duets between other popular creators (like EpidemiologistKat).
Panhwar attempts to highlight fear-mongering techniques among his fellow creators. Credit: tiktok/ drsiyabmd Panhwar warns everyone not to take the horse medicine. Credit: tiktok/ drsiyabmd
Dr. Siyab Panthwar, a cardiology fellow and member of Team Halo, shares one-minute videos and jokes about COVID-19. Panhwar's medical expertise has made him a popular video about the fear of myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can affect young men who receive the vaccine. He assures his viewers that such risks are very rare. Panhwar also debunks misleading headlines and duos creators. Panhwar, like many creators, has made it easy to organize all his videos into playlists at his top page. This makes sharing and finding accurate information much easier.
Hebert takes care of online commenters who are afraid. Credit: tik Tok/ Behber She keeps her followers informed about the latest vaccine information. Credit: tik tok/ behber
Britni Hebert launched her "A TikTok A day to keep COVID away” series in March with the aim of convincing her viewers that vaccination has many benefits. Hebert is an intern medicine and geriatric doctor and treats her patients the same as she does her patients. Hebert communicates clearly and shows compassion. Her videos often offer comforting messages for people who are anxious about vaccinations and treatment. She also responds to vaccine misinformation and vaccine hesitancy directly in her comments. Hebert shared her vaccination journey, which included a visit to the clinic in December 2020, a run, and a response to rumors that health professionals push the vaccine onto others.
Jess encourages her followers trust doctors and other health professionals. Credit: tiktok/ Jess2019 She is advocating for her patients, correcting misinformation and promoting their health. Credit: tiktok/ jesss2019
You can watch the videos on Jesss2019 to see the harsh reality of being a COVID nursing assistant and the misinformation surrounding vaccines. Six years experience as a registered nursing assistant, she worked in the COVID-19 vaccination clinics in her state during the pandemic and has recently made the decision to go into medical research. She often calls out fellow nurses who refuse to get vaccinated, or misinform others. She is a member and founder of Team Halo and has a robust LinkTree (also linked to her TikTok bio), which includes dozens of sites that share research, resources, and other vaccine-related information.
