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Hey. I'm debunking mis- and dis-information about covid-19 in the thread below.
See something? jane.lytvynenko@buzzfeed.com and my DMs are open.
See something? jane.lytvynenko@buzzfeed.com and my DMs are open.
Here's a running list of debunks that we're going to keep as up to date as we can.
Please, send me what you see and include a link + screenshot where possible. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/heres-a-running-list-of-the-latest-disinformation
Please, send me what you see and include a link + screenshot where possible. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/heres-a-running-list-of-the-latest-disinformation
1. False texts have been just rampant. No, your city is not shutting down because of the coronavirus. Authorities have been busy refuting these rumors.
2. Fake Stafford Act texts attributed to the UN are also circulating. They have been refuted by the NSC:
3. There have also been reports of audio similar to the texts above claiming to be spread by someone who knows someone at the Pentagon. Also false. Here's what it sounded like. https://soundcloud.com/jane-lytvynenko/hoax-covid-19-audio-1
4. Authorities have been cracking down on fake cures, including colloidal silver, essential oils, vitamins, and teas.
The New York AG office is actively monitoring social media for these, including if someone sees a false cure and tags the AG online.
The New York AG office is actively monitoring social media for these, including if someone sees a false cure and tags the AG online.
5. A viral text about drinking water to stave off the virus has been making rounds since February. Don't believe it. More here: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/coronavirus-drink-water-advice-debunk?origin=thum
6. Shoddy studies are going viral and stroking panic. Be mindful. http://buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/shoddy-coronavirus-studies-are-going-viral-and-stoking-panic
7. 5G has nothing to do with the spread of COVID-19.
8. This video of Trump "admitting" that he has fired the pandemic team is misleading. Trump was answering a different question, as @RobertMackey pointed out 
9. A video with nearly half a million views is falsely claiming that heat from a hair dryer can kill coronavirus. Folks, do not try this at home.
10. Many have asked whether Advil, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflamatories can exacerbate the risk of infection. That's false.
Here's a great thread breaking it down: https://twitter.com/angie_rasmussen/status/1238946937916682241
Here's a great thread breaking it down: https://twitter.com/angie_rasmussen/status/1238946937916682241
11. listen to @ddale8 https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1239647020354338819
12. A false video of a man getting covid-19 was making rounds online. Here's how @thms_pointer worked to debunk it: https://twitter.com/Thms_Pointer/status/1239563010064232448
13. You should still be worried about COVID-19 even if you got flu-like symptoms before the outbreak. The first known case in US was on Jan. 19 ( https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2001191) and there have been some cases of people who have recovered testing positive again. ( https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-13/china-japan-korea-coronavirus-reinfection-test-positive)
14. As @josephmdurso reports, there has been a dangerous fake screenshot going around in the UK. Chances are this misinfo will make its way elsewhere. https://twitter.com/josephmdurso/status/1239919778833276930
15. This hoax was debunked back in February. http://politifact.com/factchecks/2020/feb/26/facebook-posts/china-air-quality-projections-used-promote-coronav/
17. There have been many companies coyly selling immunity-boosting products, hinting the the virus spread.
While it is, of course, good to eat healthily, get lots of sleep, and exercise, there are currently no known preventative treatments for covid-19.
While it is, of course, good to eat healthily, get lots of sleep, and exercise, there are currently no known preventative treatments for covid-19.
18. This voice memo is a fake. It was attributed to Australia's shadow minister for health, Member of Parliament Chris Bowen.
Bowen's office told @josephmdurso that the audio is "inaccurate/fake and we are unsure of its origin." https://soundcloud.com/jane-lytvynenko/fake-covid-10-audio-2
Bowen's office told @josephmdurso that the audio is "inaccurate/fake and we are unsure of its origin." https://soundcloud.com/jane-lytvynenko/fake-covid-10-audio-2
19. This is NOT an image of Italy without pollution. These images have been spread across Facebook, Insta, and Twitter.
More on this from
20. More on this tweet, which says Philly police will stop some arrests as a response to the pandemic.
21. BEWARE of phone scams and check in on anyone in your life who might be vulnerable to them. (Non-english speakers, grandparents, and people not well-versed in these things.) https://twitter.com/HCC_TS/status/1240300552057237504
22. The FTC is warning of possible scams in the wake of reports of people possibly getting cheques from the government:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government?utm_source=govdelivery
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government?utm_source=govdelivery
Addressed this in number 10, above, but worth re-upping: https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1239893291375775744
23. Not to pick a fight with the president of Turkmenistan but herbs are absolutely not going to cure you or prevent infection.
More on false cures from the WHO here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters https://twitter.com/Peter__Leonard/status/1240283966856454144
More on false cures from the WHO here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters https://twitter.com/Peter__Leonard/status/1240283966856454144
24. There are some scary-looking images of "the army" circulating in the UK. Here's a prominent UK MP debunking that information: http://facebook.com/DrRosena/photos/a.276439989366067/1113872722289452/?type=3&theater
25. Be sure to read the full story before you start worrying about this headline. Per South China Morning Post, the dog tested negative for the coronavirus: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3075650/first-dog-found-coronavirus-has-died-after The doggo was 17 years old and died at home with its owner.
