THE WILDCAT DIGITAL HISTORY PROJECT

STEPPING TOWARD THE LIES
Grade 10
An archive of misinformation from the president during the COVID-19 outbreak. Each quote from him has an explanation of the falseness as well as why the misinformation is dangerous.
APRIL 23, 2020
"So I asked Bill a question some of you are thinking of if you're into that world, which I find to be pretty interesting. So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous, whether its ultraviolet or just very powerful light, and I think you said, that hasn't been checked but you're gonna test it. And then I said, supposing it brought the light inside the body, which you can either do either through the skin or some other way, and I think you said you're gonna test that too, sounds interesting. And I then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in one minute, and is there a way you can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it'd be interesting to check that. So you're going to have to use medical doctors, but it sounds interesting to me, so we'll see. But the whole concept of the light, the way it goes in one minute, that's pretty powerful."
APRIL 13, 2020
"America is continuing to make critical progress in our war against the virus. Over the weekend, the number of daily new infections remained flat nationwide. Flat. Hospitalizations are slowing in hotspots like New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Louisiana. This is clear evidence that our aggressive strategy to combat the virus is working and that Americans are following the guidelines. It’s been incredible what they’ve done."

Conclusion
Misinformation is extremely dangerous and plagues the internet on a day to day basis. Misinformation is even more dangerous when it comes from people with a lot of reach and power like the president. It is terrifying that President Trump told almost six (6) times as many falsehoods in the first year of his presidency than President Obama did in his entire time as president. Misinformation and lies can kill.

YOUR OPINIONS AND FEEDBACK
What Did You Think?
SOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
“Rhetoric.” In Rhetoric in an Antifoundational World.
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
260,000 Words, Full of Self-Praise, From Trump on the Virus
Salek, Thomas A, and Andrew W Cole. Vol. 67, n.d.
Institute for National Security Studies
“Responsible Communication.” In Time to Save Democracy