Labeling it as the “next COVID-19,” TikTok has taken the Hantavirus severely out of context. This, in the long run, only causes more disorder in society, and it is difficult to navigate what information can be trusted or not. One of the main misconceptions is how this virus can be spread. According to the World Health Organization, unlike COVID-19, the Hantavirus is only contracted when contact is made with an infected wild rodent. This can happen when people breathe in air from the infected rodents’ bodily fluids, which are usually found in dust-contaminated areas. On TikTok, it is described as a very contagious and deadly pandemic, while in reality, it is something that can be prevented.
On social media, it can be easy to be swept up; there is information that is coming from all sorts of people. Some of these people are officials and can be trusted, while others are not educated to speak on certain topics. On the Jumpers Jump podcast, they are known to talk about news going around in the world. While some of it might be true, a lot of it is extremely exaggerated. In one of their clips about the Hantavirus, they begin by saying, “It’s so crazy, Planet of the Apes was about a virus.” They then go into detail about the movie “Planet of the Apes” and how similar these viruses are. This is a trick where they are able to gain views and activity on their page, which leads to more money for them, and people automatically assume the virus is as extreme as in the movie. While it is okay to share one’s connections, it is importantWe all remember the days when people were sanitizing their groceries and fighting for toilet paper. These were all things that TikTok had told us to do. Looking back, it could be seen as extreme or unusual behavior.
TikTok has taken charge, leveraging evidence provided by the Hantavirus. They have blown this out of proportion, and it has ultimately led to more fear and misinformation spreading through the popular app. Over the years, TikTok has been considered a reliable resource for many students, when in reality, things can be exaggerated or misinterpreted. This is the case for the Hantavirus.
to acknowledge that these diseases are not the same, so people don’t begin to spiral.
Although it is important to spread news about the virus and update all generations on what is going on in the world, it is important not to mix up exaggeration with reality. The Hantavirus is not a pandemic, and this has been stated by experts. While this is something to take seriously, the last thing people should do is panic and post random facts on social media.
