Have you noticed that interstate messages have become more creative lately? It’s not uncommon to see a pun or humorous reference while cruising down the highway. These are known as dynamic message signs, and they’re intended to increase compliance. In the same vein, a recent FiercePharma article reported that the FDA has enlisted its own wordsmiths to help relay their messages. The goal is to get peoples’ attention, and, more importantly, combat dangerous viral misinformation.
One example is a tweet from the FDA’s Twitter account last week that read, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” The post linked to an article discouraging people from using ivermectin to treat COVID-19, which is generally intended to treat parasites in animals.
“Historically, we’ve used our social media platforms to communicate about a lot of important public health issues in fairly straightforward ways, but as the platforms have evolved, we’ve embarked on an effort to find creative ways to deliver our messages,” noted Brad Kimberly, director of social media for the FDA’s Office of External Affairs.
