Among those who celebrated the end of the PHE, there has been consistent misuse of many (now well-known) terms in the public health lexicon, including lockdowns, mandates, and closures. Regardless of the intention, the misuse of public health terminology has caused an uptick in online misinformation. Using precise language when discussing public health measures and policies, such as lockdowns and mandates, is crucial for increasing public health literacy and combating the spread of misinformation. Trust in public health institutions such as the CDC has plummeted since 2020. Using precise language when discussing or reporting categories of public health mitigations such as lockdowns, mandates, or school closures helps increase public health literacy.

Source: ABC News October 30, 2023 13:55 UTC