Fact: Coronavirus is more lethal than flu.

But political leanings can influence how we view "facts". A Gallup study shows that the majority of those who identify as Republicans believe flu is more lethal.

Worried about partisanship here, esp misinformation spread online.

This survey uses an easily "fact-checkable" parameter - death rate of Covid vs seasonal flu. Even then, media consumption based on political bias can make one "misunderstand" facts.

What about facts that are in narrative format, like who said what and when? Much worse, I think.

Add to this already natural bias is the DELIBERATE misinformation being spread by those with vested interest online - political lackeys, fake bots, paid influencers - and you have quite potentially a generation who, because of partisanship, cannot even tell what's true or not.

This is also not helped by intelligent, well-meaning people who are taking "partisan" positions in spreading news & opinions because being "neutral" is now deemed a "flaw". There are very few who are sharing opinions & fact-checks from both sides of the political divide.

The greater risk in all these "gamesmanship" is that the wall that we create between us becomes impenetrable & no longer do we consider that sometimes we may be absolutely wrong on a fact.