Let’s rewind the last two years of our life. Going back to March 2020, COVID-19, to be pandemic, essentially brought the world to a screeching halt, giving everyone the chance to experience a staycation. The staycation got extended, and more extended, and then we were living and working on our digital screens. Perhaps, Metaverse is becoming a thing because of this? That’s a conversation for another day.

With the critical rollout of vaccines and boosters, we have relatively managed to resume where we left off. With a hybrid work environment, more dependence on the digital world than ever, and a new modified way of living, we are now tasked with a chance to reflect on uncertainty, adversity, and social issues. Mis- or disinformation was not missed in this era.

Misinformation about a deadly virus spread like wildfire making the threat of it downright dangerous. Some of this misinformation may induce fear in people, diving into the pool of anxiety.

Gen-Z is well-connected, and most have ingested regular feeds of misinformation through their ever-growing online social circles. Other sources belie the science of viruses and underestimate the power of a virus – we are still dealing with COVID-19 cases. Shocking how that works, right? Finally, the ultra-wise and opinionated uncles and aunts topped off the proverbial fuel to the fire with their self-proclaimed degrees in COVID-19.

No matter which one of these flavors you were served with, they all ended up being a bit explosive in nature.

What was most washed in 2020? Hands or Minds, 2020 pandemic humour.

We explored the spread of misinformation among the South Asian Millennial and Gen-Z communities by facilitating a conversation with our new age readers on a Padlet (social board) and on Siliconeer (Siliconeer Board). Gaining fresh insight while keeping it kosher, we inquired about the community’s thoughts on the vaccines/boosters, masks, and any misinformation they may have faced.

The vaccines are a hit. They are believed to slow the spread of the notorious Covid-19 and are widely supported in the Gen-Z community. Everyone who can get the vaccine should get the vaccine. – Science: 1, uncles and aunts: 0.

Despite them being widely available, disinformation drove some people away from the vaccine. They were presented with the delusion that the vaccines were fake, and people were being inoculated using water and/or microchips. However, now that most are taking their shots, masking is becoming slightly more relaxed.

Gen-Z encourages following masking guidelines, yes even now. There’s a high tendency one will find them with a mask, either in their pocket or on their face. Indoors or where cases are high, the mask stays plastered on their faces. Outdoors and in areas with low Covid activity, the mask is crumpled into a pocket. Masks also hang around in a pocket when with a familiar social circle, or we could get called out! (In case an uncle or aunt is an anti-vaxxer). – Science: 1.5, uncles and aunts: 0.5?

Back into the ocean of misinformation, running with rip currents that seem deceptively welcoming to dip your toes in. Almost everyone, including Gen-Z, faced misinformation in some shape or form in the past two years, but the bulk of it was decipherable as “fake news.” Yes, I understand there is more than one meaning to that, but let’s go with the original one.

Social media is the biggest driver of misinformation. Random people on sites like Twitter and Facebook go on rants about how ‘COVID is a hoax,’ ‘masks don’t do anything,’ and ‘this is all China’s doing. They planned this; this is war!’ Of course, there had to be someone who fed this to them, but who could that be? Unfortunately, can’t seem to think of anyone. Oh well.

Oh, and how could I forget… the aunties and uncles. Welcome to the world of WhatsApp University, where everyone has a Ph.D. in Coronavirus and molecular biology. Yes, these are the same people who believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was just so that the government could insert a microchip into you. All of a sudden, some herb, food, or concoction is the real cure.

But let’s be real, the vaccine works. Cases have undeniably fallen. Masking was necessary. The spread decreased where people followed public safety guidelines. In this battle of science vs. misinformed people, just maybe, possibly, science and facts were correct. Thanks to the research that was done, and the countless hours spent by people in labs developing a vaccine, we can come back to offices, schools, movie theatres, and so much more.

In the end, science trumped the uncles and aunties with their PhDs. Thankfully, the Gen-Z community tends to prefer what the science says over what uncles, aunties, and fake news influencers say. So, vaccinate, mask up and be safe America!