Misinformation and disinformation about Covid-19

The fourth estate has taken on the task of keeping the general public apprised of the progress of the corona pandemic through the world and locally. This function is acknowledged by most countries but carefully controlled by authoritarian governments. Here in the USA local stations and local affiliates of national networks keep the public informed about local, national and world statistics with live broadcasts, telecasts, podcasts including town meetings and interviews with health experts, politicians, etc. The national networks also supply apps that work through phones, FM radios or TVs. Authoritarian countries often block such efforts even shutting down the internet or blocking access. We, the USA do not. This doesn't mean that we are not subject to manipulation and distortion.

In comparing Fox News' statistics to those of other networks, I found Fox figures to be lower for infectivity, mortality, etc than other networks and radio stations. This seems to be the result of a time gap between Fox and other media. In listening to their crisis expert rationalizing absurd presidential assertions like "better in a couple of days" to "better in a couple of weeks" or "better by Easter" it is clear that POTUS controls Fox. Bringing in people like Dr. Oz occasionally to question or refute is not enough. The clear observation is that Public Health experts are bound and constrained in the White House Committee public briefings. POTUS gives medical and market recommendations as though he were an expert in both and furthermore as if the two were linked and the disease was the dependent variable. When confronted with his actions he either denies, hands-off, claims fake news or behaves irascibly. It would appear that Fox News' coverage of the corona pandemic is under political control and the inaccuracies arising therefrom can "authorize" dangerous behavior.

POTUS, ever the showman, is proposing an Easter celebration of full return of domestic industry and gradual lifting of travel and trade restrictions. Manitou has not concurred nor has Jehovah. Nor has the upsurging graph of new cases. If the President doesn't back down the pandemic will accelerate in the USA in deaths, new cases and duration. If and when he is forced to back down we can expect denial, firings and a repeat performance at some gut inspired new opportunity for a show to be put on. Business lobbying for resumption is powerful and the medical community is disorganized even in its demand for personal protective equipment. The public needs to understand that a crude triaging is going on with cancer, heart disease, pneumonia elective but vital surgery) being rerouted to ancillary facilities, (ships, hotels, hangars, etc,) with first-line doctors and nurses both unavailable and at risk themselves due to primary dedication to Covid-19.