**3. Coronavirus and the role of the media**

Today, computer technology has become an integral part or even a fundamental tool for scientific research, especially in high-tech research such as biotechnology. However, development of information technology is inherently associated with the Internet and media in general. Scientists and biotechnology companies analyse media resources in order to study the social aspects of people's lives and conduct relevant research. Moreover, media resources such as social networks create opportunities not only for the communication of scientists, but also for identifying trends in public discussions and sharing their research or developments. Thus, the Biotech-careers web-resource conducted an analysis in their database and found 109 companies in 364 localities working on COVID-19 as of April 06, 2020 [8]. We presume that those numbers are increasing. During the pandemic, reports on biotechnology found wide media coverage but what did the pandemic represent for society?

The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the largest threats facing humanity. However, can we say that it was the disease, fight against which was worth such unprecedented measures as complete lockdowns, the cancellation of all public events, depriving people of such a basic right as freedom of movement? What became the hallmark of the disease besides the fact that it was a new strain of the coronavirus infection?

The humanity has already faced epidemics and pandemics earlier. The diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox, the virus called "Spanish flu" killed thousands of people. In our opinion, in addition to purely medical and epidemiological factors, the key factor that distinguishes COVID-19 is the role of the media. In contrast with the 19th or early 20th centuries when there was no Internet, social media, so many TV and radio companies, today the number of such sources of information is innumerable. The era when people had to wait for a new issue of the newspaper to get information is outdated. Today, thanks to media resources and the Internet, information is updated every second. The presence of social networks contributes to the prompt dissemination of the information. However, it is often distorted or even "overgrown with rumours" on the Internet.

Various viruses coexist with humanity. For example, although the influenza virus is activated every year, lockdowns and other global restrictions are not enforced. Successful fight against seasonal flu is a prime example of biotech progress. Experts have learned how to cope with the influenza virus [9], which infects thousands of people every year. However, modern biotechnologies allow not only to cure people from influenza, but also to prevent its spread.

Because of enforcement of the measures to combat COVID-19, all areas of life were paralysed. Even biotech companies faced difficulties in their research due to lockdowns and morbidity risk among staff.

Closing the borders of states, stopping civil interstate flights and other measures led to many social and economic problems. Thus, the Azerbaijan citizens who used to travel abroad for the medical tourism purposes had to postpone planned procedures because of the closure of borders and the suspension of air traffic for some time. Although restrictions on air traffic had a positive effect on the environment, it is difficult to assess the balance of harm and benefit when comparing the social activities, economy and the environment. Restrictions and associated social,

economic problems, depression and increased anxiety in society, the violation of all social contacts, when people were afraid or prohibited from meeting with relatives and friends, were weighed against the risk of spread of the disease. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the benefit of restrictive measures as both economic and medical areas play the key role in life of the world community. However, there were also exceptions. The Republic of Belarus has not implemented the restrictive measures and, nevertheless, the mortality rate in the state was "one of the lowest in the world" [10]. If in Azerbaijan throughout all the investigated period of the last 11 months mortality rate was not above 1,5%, in Belarus this was less than 0,7%. If today in Azerbaijan we have about quarter of million contaminated during last year COVID patients, Belarus had slightly more for a few dozen thousands people, but mortality was twice less. Moreover, this is in a situation, when they did not close schools, universities, stadiums, public transport, nothing. They made a military parade of Victory Day 9 May 2020, presidential elections, had millions on the meetings and demonstrations after but COVID did not appear as frightening as in the rest of the world. Belarus and Azerbaijan both have similar geography and population about 10 million but management of pandemics were very different, and they succeeded even more than Azerbaijan and the rest of the world. In one of our past articles, we mentioned that the main reason was that the genotype of neither Azerbaijani nor Belarus was a target for COVID-19.

Talking about social and other factors, we return to the role of the media. What was their role and remains today? At first glance, the media simply broadcast the latest summaries of information about the disease and its mortality. The provision of statistical information, which often did not represent any value for the average reader, caused panic and fear. Therefore, it often had more negative than positive significance. Obviously, in pursuit of the rating, the media often published data on the most rare consequences and symptoms of the coronavirus infection [11, 12]. Although the experts later explained the reason for the incident, rumours continued to spread, especially on social networks and telephone voice messengers. The example of such misleading information is the change in skin colour from the coronavirus. Publication and replication of such incomplete information to attract visitors is an example of the so-called "hype" [13]. People reading such headings and sometimes without even opening the whole article begin to panic and spread this information.

## **3.1 "Infodemic" – new realities**

Information resources on various platforms both at the beginning of the emergence of a new virus and today are full of headlines that "the world will no longer be the same" [14]. Many new terms have appeared during the pandemic. They either did not exist before or were not widely used. Terms such as "fake news", "lockdown", "covidiot", "doom scrolling", etc. entered our daily life. Another example of such terms is "infodemic" [15]. In our opinion, this word most clearly shows how large-scale the flow of information associated with the new virus has become. This term, highlighted by the WHO, described the unfounded information, which does not reflect the truth. It includes panic news and in some cases concealment of the essence of the information, rumours, and conspiracy theories aimed only at misleading the society. Human beings tend to believe and share alarm warnings. Such information in addition attracts more readers, which is of higher importance for the media resources. That became a key factor of the development of infodemic.

Often, the official media unintentionally sowed panic among the population, reporting on the upcoming lockdown, disinfection, etc. Thus, such panic gripped the society in Baku, as in other cities of the world, during the announcement of the

#### *A Qualitative Study of Pre-Vaccine Decrease of Mortality from COVID-19 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97017*

complete lockdown [16]. People rushed to the markets buying almost everything after hearing such news [17]. Although full lockdowns in Baku lasted no more than two days, people bought several times more bread than usual. Society affected by the impact of the panic experienced as a result of the unexpected announcement of the news about the restriction exaggerated by rumours that flooded social networks and voice messengers have only fuelled peoples' fears. On the contrary, along with panic and socio-economic tensions, so-called memes or funny pictures about the coronavirus [18] were also spreading on the Internet. Of course, this does not mean that we should not take the virus seriously. All medical advice must be followed, but one must not be afraid. In addition, even if in social isolation, we should do it without fear. We should strictly follow personal hygiene and distancing but not fear.

A lot of information, which was often fake, had a detrimental effect on both the psychological health of people and hindered an effective fight against the pandemic. People, left in complete isolation, were forced to search for information on the Internet in order to understand what was happening, how to protect themselves from the virus. Given the high interest in the subject matter, the unscrupulous media, accordingly, published and updated information, which did not always reflect reliable data, at lightning speed. Regular users who did not have in-depth knowledge of the topic and were unable to distinguish scientific data from rumours started to panic at such fake information. People prone to depression, who are in chronic stress, suspecting they have a coronavirus, lost their ability to adequately assess the situation. A large number of news, often-fake ones, about the coronavirus, and their even greater spread on social networks, indicate that the criticality of information perception in times of turmoil decreases sharply. This is what the mass distribution of infodemic is based on.

Cybercriminals on the Internet have also contributed to the increase in the scale of the infodemic. Thus, they created hundreds of so-called bad bots [19]. These programs, imitating the behaviour of a real person, spread deliberately false and misleading information. However, during the pandemic, positive bots created by official structures served to provide help. Thus, a bot launched in Azerbaijan [20] allowed people to check themselves for the signs of the coronavirus infection.

However, is it right to say that the pandemic was accompanied only by false news? It is not only the information itself that is very important, but the context in which it is presented and its emotional colouring. Thus, national media in all countries of the world, as well as global media, began to publish "shocking" data on death toll from the coronavirus. Media headlines were mostly representing data on negative facts about the coronavirus. In this context, wasn't it a manipulation of readers aimed only at increasing the "clickability" of the title? It is obvious that the worse the news about the disease, the more readers it will attract. Haven't people before that die of AIDS, cardiovascular diseases and other diseases? How important is the context of presenting information? Infodemic, when information or misinformation spreads virally, like the spread of the viral infection itself, has become the result of the work of the media and social networks. Pure statistics, even if it concerns mortality, can be frightening or neutral depending on different contexts [21]. 3000+ deaths from COVID-19 in Azerbaijan during 12 months repeated everyday from TV channels impact deleteriously to the mental health of the people and make them panic. This is natural for public to be afraid. However, as forensic experts in Azerbaijan we know that the average mortality of the country about 60 thousands deaths in the past year makes three thousands less than even 10% of mortality. Is this a justified reason for things we observed in last year? We do not think so. Majority of people continue to die from traditional diseases and most of dying COVID patients are also dying from own main diseases aggravated

by concomitant coronavirus infections, which was always happened in past when influenza made complications for such categories of diabetic, cardiac, oncology, hepatic and renal patients.

Literally recently, from a historical point of view, humanity has been fighting epidemics such as "SARS (2002, 10% of deaths from those infected), avian flu (2003, 50% of deaths from those infected), MERS (2012, 35% of deaths from those infected), Ebola (2014, 40% of deaths from those infected)" [22]. At those times, the media was also filled with information of a frightening nature. However, humanity coped and literally until 2020, people lived a normal life, and only virologists and epidemiologists spoke about viruses in everyday life, to a lesser extent representatives of other medical specialties.

Aimed at creation of sensation impressions and mass distribution, and in the case of social networks to get more shares, likes, views, journalists and bloggers, ordinary users, knowing nothing about medicine, or knowing at the level of the non-professional, write about the pandemic, the virus and even give treatment advices. How ethical in that context is writing of news by a person who does not have professional education in this area? What shall be the criteria? What medical, epidemiology and other information can and cannot be published by a non-professional? We usually do not look into the education of the author of news but is it important in the era of pandemics? There are no definite answers, since everyone is entitled to the right to have personal point of view. From a legal standpoint, freedom of thought and expression of will is an inalienable human right. However, if a person disseminates knowingly false information, gives advice of medical nature without a licence, then personal opinion becomes an example of violation of the law. If the advice caused harm to health, then this action entails criminal liability. At the same time, we know many examples of medical errors done by professionals [23]. Therefore, it is impossible to mark the availability of medical education as the standard for authors writing or speaking about the pandemic. We can conclude that the coronavirus pandemic has led not only to medical but also to many ethical and legal issues in society as well.

#### **3.2 Information about the virus: myths and facts in the media**

If earlier the society experienced a lack of information, now there is a surplus of it. A person is simply not able to assess the scale of the incoming information. Thus, the query "coronavirus" in the popular search engine Google as of mid-February 2021 gives out about 2.220 million [24] search results. Publication of such a large amount of information is often accompanied by a decrease in its quality. Unfortunately, in this case we have to rely on the search engine and hope that it will show the most truthful, complete and interesting information in response to our request. Most people in a fast-paced world have neither the time nor the energy to browse through a large amount of resources. In the old days, people went to libraries, where there was a large, but limited number of sources. Today, their number on the Internet is simply physically incalculable.

In times when only government agencies were the sources of information, it was possible to trace its author and purpose for which the publication was made. It is clear that at all times the media are always engaged to some degree. It is difficult to say, in our opinion that the media is independent when they have sponsors thanks to which they actually exist. However, there are state and large private media holdings committed to publishing clear information in order to maintain their status as a reliable source. In addition, even in the event of an error, they tend to publish an immediate rebuttal. Nevertheless, even they can hardly be called completely independent. Rating and audience coverage are also important for them.

#### *A Qualitative Study of Pre-Vaccine Decrease of Mortality from COVID-19 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97017*

In the context of the coronavirus, many types of media, both private and public, have sought to convey information as quickly as possible. However, if the "prestigious" resources that treasure their name gave out only official information, then the rest of the media, guided only by attracting the audience, often published an outright fake. Often, the media, referring to famous doctors on their behalf, published information that did not belong to the author at all. What the author indicated either as possible or researched was published as accurate information.

Spreading of false information (or so-called "fake news") has also become a serious problem. Such news are distinguished by their manipulative nature [25]. Often the authors of publications publish them not by mistake but purposefully. To attract the attention of the population media especially online publications for which traffic is especially important, often referred to the unconfirmed or even false information contributing to its spread. Misleading information can be related to both the disease itself and the methods of its treatment. Thus, information about folk remedies and methods of disease treatment, with the protocols for the use of alternative medicine, which often only worsened the patient's condition, has filled the Internet.

Lack of medical knowledge and panic among politicians contributed to the dissemination of such information by the media at the initial stage of the emergence of a new virus.

Often, even before the confirmation of the effectiveness of the drug or treatment method and protocol, the media began to spread information about it. Thus, at the initial stage of the pandemic, there were reports of the possible efficacy of certain drugs such as antimalarial one. Media resources began to replicate information about this medicine; even some famous personalities claimed its effectiveness [26], which further increased the public interest. Based on unproven information, some people began to use this drug without a prescription, which led to serious side effects, and in some cases even death [27]. Only after clinical trials, scientists and medical professionals concluded that the drug is not only ineffective but can be even dangerous for use by certain parts of the population [28]. Nevertheless, unfortunately, despite further denial in the media, there was already data on mortality caused by the use of the unverified information. However, at the initial stage, in early 2020, COVID-19 was a new type of disease for the medical and scientific community. This significantly complicated the work of doctors and less of the media. In the beginning, when there were no approved and proven effective treatment protocols, doctors had to verify any information empirically, that is, to use all available treatment options to save lives. However, the media, in pursuit of the rating, immediately publishing these data, albeit even if unintentionally, misled people.

Since the appearance of a new type of virus, many theories about its origin began to appear on the Internet. At an early stage, various rumours that have spread on the Internet, in the absence of scientifically proven facts caused distrust among people [29]. This fact largely contributed to the emergence of conspiracy theories. The so-called conspiracy theories put forward different ideas massively replicated in the media. In addition, even when experts denied the causes stated as the reason for the emergence of the virus in theory or the resources themselves published a refutation, people continued to spread information through social media networks. The most popular was the theory of the spread of the virus by the communication stations, which led to dozens of cases of the destruction of stations by the population [30]. Spreading of such misleading information forced internet resources such as popular social media [31] to mark the information about the coronavirus as unverified and in some cases to even delete or block it.

In response to mass disinformation the WHO as well as UNESCO, European Commission and other organisations have created special web platform such as

"mythbusters" to in an understandable form with the help of specialists to debunk each of the myths and provide scientifically based information [32–34].

We think reality we have now and experience we gained in last year could make us taking very positive lessons as well: decrease of mortality started in the second half of the last year and continued to present levels even in pre-vaccine era, 80% of contaminated population had mild course of disease, more than 90% of population has recovered, young people and children were ill much rare than the older age groups, panic took more people to the death rather the disease itself.

#### **3.3 Vaccination and role of the media**

Since the very appearance of vaccines in the media, unverified and often false information about vaccines began to spread. As well as it was with the coronavirus itself. The most widespread conspiracy theory, of course, was the "chipping". This fake appeared at the beginning of the pandemic and explained its appearance as the desire of certain forces to microchip all of humanity by means of vaccination.

The efficacy and safety of vaccines has been the subject of debates. Although vaccines appeared just a couple of months ago, the media were already filled with information about mortality after their introduction [35]. Unfortunately, mortality from the vaccine as a reaction of the body (anaphylactic shock) is quite possible, even in the case of the administration of long-used, well-studied vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine has recently appeared. Due to its urgency, it has not passed long-term clinical trials, which usually take 2–3 years. However, preliminary data made it possible to speak about their effectiveness and safety, which gave the WHO reason to approve the first yet vaccine.

The media circulating conspiracy theories and other fakes earlier are now publishing news about the need for vaccination. An interesting fact is that even now the Internet is filled with information about vaccines' side effects, which alternates with a call for vaccination. The media, with their fast-changing and sometimes diametrically opposed news, is often misleading their viewers and readers. Many people, reading about mortality from coronavirus, want to be vaccinated immediately, while others, reading about its side effects, start to panic.

Publishing only information on side effects and mortality from vaccinations, the media rarely covers how many people were successfully vaccinated. How many and at what level developed antibodies after? That is, one gets the impression that the media are not engaged in providing information, but in only attracting an audience or so-called hype.

It is also necessary to note the inadmissibility of discrimination against people who refuse vaccination. Coercion violates a constitutional human right and right for autonomy and dignity. Moreover, for some people, vaccination is contraindicated due to the medical reasons, such as allergies to its components. However, media are actively broadcasting information about "covid passports", manipulating peoples' fears.

Azerbaijan is the first country in the South Caucasus region and is one of the first in the world that ensured vaccines' delivery and has launched vaccination on 18th of January 2021. Vaccination is implemented free of charge for the citizens and on voluntary basis thus protecting the autonomy of decision-making.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the "Strategy of vaccination against COVID-19 in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2021-2022" on 16 January 2021 by the Order No. 48 s. The phased vaccination strategy implemented in the country prioritises the elderly and medical workers.

The vaccines approved so far by the CDC are not yet available in Azerbaijan due to the lack of sufficient amount of them at the manufactures and high demand.

#### *A Qualitative Study of Pre-Vaccine Decrease of Mortality from COVID-19 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97017*

However, the country has contributed \$21 million [36] to the COVAX [37] initiative and supports all international activities in the fight against the coronavirus [38]. Moreover, as the delivery of vaccines within the COVAX is still expected [39], Azerbaijan has already purchased 4 million vaccines of Coronavac from China [40] to start the vaccination early. The procedure takes time because it includes an examination of those wishing to be vaccinated. For check-up and vaccination purpose, the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance has launched a new electronic service called "COVID-19 vaccine appointment" [41]. Vaccinated citizens will be issued an electronic certificate in case of need a vaccination document when travelling abroad.

#### **3.4 Social networks and phone messengers as a source of disinformation**

Today, in addition to official state and private information companies, social networks have become a great source of information. Conceived to create a means of convenient communication and exchange of information between people, social networks have become independent sources of information. Although most of the official media, government officials and various international and other structures have official pages in the networks, in addition to them, there are millions of other pages. Some pretend to be original, creating fake profiles on behalf of the official or structure. Others share information at the rumour level, creating a false impression of credible awareness.

Smartphone messengers posed a special threat in this sense specifically when messages were sent from person to person, and the author could only be identified by involving law enforcement agencies. Thus, one of the most "egregious" fakes, widespread in Azerbaijan, was a voice message about the alleged disinfection of the entire country from a helicopter [42]. Unfortunately, doctors themselves often participated in the spread of such fakes, as they later explained "under the influence of panic" [43] or, more horribly, for the sake of joke [44].

During the pandemic, Azerbaijan had to introduce fines, administrative or criminal liability for spreading rumours about the coronavirus [45]. Of course, doctors, like the rest of the population were in fear and stress during the peak period of the pandemic in the country and in even more risk of being in constant contact with patients. However, the role of the media, especially unofficial ones that disseminated such information should not be underestimated. In the case of instant messengers, the situation is even more complicated for a number of reasons. First, they guarantee the confidentiality of the information sent through their platform. Secondly, personal correspondence is not an official source of information and only expresses the opinion of the author, to which everyone is entitled by law. Moreover, since the information is private it does not imply distribution. However, unfortunately, the pandemic has shown that information can be disseminated through instant messengers even faster and on a larger scale than through publications on the Internet. For example, some messengers had to mark frequently sent messages as a possible fake or even prohibit their forwarding [46]. However, these restrictions are sometimes ineffective. The user can not only simply forward the message to others, but also write a new one, referring to initial information as "heard" one, "it was said that…". As a result, the original message is further distorted and overgrown with rumours. There is no responsibility of messengers in this context. It is impossible, since they do not break the law by their work. They only do what they were created for, namely they represent the means of communication.

People who use social media or phone messengers should understand their responsibility by sending comic messages on such a serious topic as the coronavirus. In addition, it is the personal responsibility to trust rumours or not. The only possibility to protect our safety in this regard is to verify all the incoming information with the official sources, such as the state ministries' websites and think critically about the news we get.

## **3.5 COVID-19: role of media in the positive effects of the pandemic**

Along with high uncertainty and anxiety, the pandemic has created conditions for development in some areas. As a result of total lockdown the digitalization of society has accelerated. People were forced to spend more time on the Internet. Many workers were transferred to the so-called remote job. Online shopping began to develop in those countries where it was not popular before. Even areas that previously seemed impossible online have begun to adapt to the new environment. Thus, online pharmacies began to appear in Azerbaijan, school and university studies also switched to online training, and special training platforms were launched. Telemedicine has started to be developing.

Online commerce and marketing are the areas that have benefited most from the coronavirus-related restrictions. Clothing manufacturers often used the coronavirus theme. Advertisements for T-shirts with various inscriptions and images on the topic of coronavirus appeared on the Internet. Some companies have supported healthcare [47] by producing medical equipment, which was also a good marketing strategy.

Although internet commerce has grown rapidly due to the pandemic, it is difficult to say that it will permanently eliminate shopping malls, at least not in the next decades. Hiking to the malls often has nothing to do with shopping. People, especially the youth, went to shopping malls, which usually have restaurants, cinemas, and a lot of entertainment such as bowling, to spend their leisure time and meet with friends.

The field of telemedicine is perhaps one of the few that has evolved during the pandemic. Today it is still too early to talk about general surgical interventions that can be performed remotely via the Internet (although such experiments have been implemented already [48]). However, telemedicine in today's conditions has become a real salvation for both patients and doctors. First, patients could save the time they usually spend travelling to the hospital. Secondly, the doctor and the patient were both protected from possible infection, since often people themselves did not even suspect that they were infected (the so-called "asymptomatic patients"). In addition, in some cases, the patient does not need a real examination, but a consultation, an adjustment of the treatment course. The psychological effect is also important when the patient turns to the doctor "to calm down his fears". In the case of the field of psychology, telemedicine was easily possible, and it did not lose its meaning either. Since in psychological practice the factor of communication prevails and does not require physical contact such as, for example, in the case of traumatology.
