Coronavirus misinformation can spread like a disease, says Waterloo prof

Warns it is contributing to racism against Asian communities

Image | CORONAVIRUS EVACUATIONS

Caption: Geoffrey Fong warns that misinformation about the coronavirus is contributing to acts of racism targeting members of the Chinese and greater Asian communities. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

A professor at the University of Waterloo says misinformation about the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, even as public health experts say the risk of the virus itself remains low in Canada.
Geoffrey Fong is a professor of psychology, public health and health systems at UW.
He says misinformation is even contributing to racist acts directed at Chinese and greater Asian communities.
He spoke to the CBC's Julianne Hazelwood, guest-host of The Morning Edition on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.