The Hantavirus outbreak is resurrecting Covid-era misinformation tactics

The New York Times sought the expertise of Yotam Ophir regarding COVID-19-era conspiracy theories that are spreading about the hantavirus outbreak, and how artificial intelligence tools have made it even easier for influencers and others to spread false messages online. “The conspiracy theories from Covid-19 never really died,” said Ophir. “They lay dormant for a few years.” Part of the problem, he said, is that much of the misinformation and distrust generated during the Covid pandemic was never meaningfully addressed. “The next time when we need to face a big challenge as a society, we’re just not in a good place to cope with it,” he continued.