Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.16 seeking to combat health misinformation and curb the spread of falsehoods that threaten the health and safety of our residents and visitors.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.16 and direct that staff:
1) Proceed with completion of referral as described below; or,
2) Take action to direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board; or,
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background:
Board Referral No. 2021-16 assigned on September 14, 2021, requests the County Administrative Officer and the Monterey County Health Department implement the areas of action cited by the Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in his advisory entitled "Confronting Health Misinformation" (Advisory) (Attachment 3).
U.S. Surgeon Murthy issued his first Advisory on July 15, 2021 to warn the public about the urgent threat of health misinformation, including disinformation which has threatened the nation's response to COVID-19. During the pandemic, the public has been exposed to a wide range of misinformation about the use of face coverings/masks, physical distancing, testing, treatments, and vaccines which has led to confusion, mistrust of government, distrust of health care systems and undermining of public health strategies.
As stated in the Advisory, addressing health misinformation will require a "whole-of-society" effort and as such includes a call to action for all stakeholders including individuals, families, and communities as well as the education, healthcare, media, technology, research, philanthropy, and government sectors. ...
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