Dr. Anthony Fauci says disinformation is a “very serious issue” when it comes to public health issues.
On Sunday, CNN’s Jim Acosta played Fauci a clip of Fox News’ Tucker Carlson disseminating what he called “disinformation.” He asked, “Did you ever expect that you would have, I guess, to compete with the likes of Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan, Dr. Fauci, and are their voices more powerful and I guess more widespread than people like yourself?”
“Well, Jim, disinformation, and misinformation is really a very serious issue when it comes to a public health issue like COVID-19, in which it is essential to get correct information out,” Fauci responded.
He continued, “The best way to counter disinformation and misinformation is to try as best as we all can to get the proper and correct information out.”
“But one of the enemies of public health is disinformation, and, unfortunately, we do see that in some corners,” Fauci added.
Watch the video below:
Dr. Fauci tells @Acosta that disinformation, like that being spread by Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan, is, "one of the enemies of public health." pic.twitter.com/4A3gUB3rWZ
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 5, 2021
Fauci’s comments come as some celebrities, such as podcaster Joe Rogan who is not a medical expert, have touted the anti-parasite medication ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.
Rogan shared last week that he tested positive for COVID-19 and “immediately threw the kitchen sink at it, all kinds of meds” including ivermectin.
While the podcaster said he felt “great,” health experts have warned Americans against taking ivermectin as a treatment for the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person who took ivermectin had an “altered mental status,” and another was hospitalized for nine days and had hallucinations.
The Food and Drug Administration notes that it has not “authorized or approved ivermectin for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 in people or animals” and “ivermectin has not been shown to be safe or effective for these indications.”
Instead, the agency says, “The most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 include getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you and following current CDC guidance.”
