Objective During the epidemic of COVID-19

epidemic rumors continued to ferment and spread among the general public

causing many adverse effects on people′s lives and social stability.Therefore

this study investigated the propagation process and psychological mechanism of Internet rumors among the general public during the epidemic.Methods Online questionnaire was conducted by using real rumors during the epidemic of coronavirus as materials to measure the credibility

re-diffusion intention and behavior of the common people about the epidemic online rumors

and a total of 1 451 valid data were collected.Results The participants were 45.75%susceptibility to epidemic status rumors

43.08%susceptibility to epidemic treatment rumors

39.62%susceptibility to epidemic prevention rumors

and 38.07% susceptibility to epidemic diffusion rumors

the susceptibility to epidemic influence rumors was 34.97%

and to epidemic source rumors was 30.50%.Moreover

the anxiety of the common people and the credibility in various types of rumors can positively predict their re-diffusion intention and behavior（all P<0.05）.Conclusion In order to reduce the occurrence and spread of rumors of such public health emergencies

this study proposes that establish a social management system with the government as the leader

cooperation in various fields and self-discipline of the public.