In February, 2020, during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made recommendations to clean and disinfect frequently-handled objects, which triggered nationwide panic buying of disinfectant products such as Clorox and Lysol. Numerous regulatory agencies and public health organisations (eg, CDC, US Food and Drug Administration, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the American Association of Poison Control Centers [AAPCC]) have repeatedly advised against ingestion and other off-label use of disinfectants and cleaning products. However, during a White House press briefing on April 23, 2020, President Trump implied that the White House Coronavirus Task Force should investigate injections of disinfectant as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

Health communication research shows that ideological and political affiliations can widen the divide between acquired knowledge and an individual’s beliefs regarding public health behaviours and outcomes.

Political leaders, especially the president of the USA, can command media attention and direct public health policy.

During public health emergencies, imprecise communication of emerging research by government leadership can cast doubt on reputable sources of scientific information. Additionally, as the so-called Spiral of Silence theory purports, those in positions of authority can influence social dynamics and public opinion on controversial issues.

Government leaders who openly question scientific consensus on an important issue can increase anxiety and perceptions of threat among the public, undermining the effect of accurate information and encouraging risky behaviours.