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Public Confusion from Decentralized Expert Messaging on Social Media

During public health crises, the lack of centralized messaging alignment among independent experts on social media platforms can lead to public confusion. Unlike official institutions (e.g., the CDC) that coordinate clear and consistent messages, individual experts sharing varied opinions on issues with limited evidence can inadvertently create mixed messages and frustration for the public. This phenomenon was notably highlighted by epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Rivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Updated 2026-07-05

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CSCW (Computer-supported cooperative work)

Computing Sciences