Mythbusters
Top fact-checking experts debunk false claims about disease that are spreading fear online
ONE of the world’s leading fact-checking organisations has debunked the top coronavirus myths being spread online.
Experts at UK-based Full Fact scoured the internet for the most widely shared Covid-19 claims and checked them out.
They’ve discovered that some have been maliciously invented to trigger fear while others are plain wrong.
Claire Milne, deputy editor of Full Fact, said: “Worryingly, we continue to see claims of ‘miracle cures’ without medical basis.
“Bad information ruins lives. At best, it can cause unnecessary fear and anxiety. At worst, it can harm lives and spread panic.
“On International Fact Checking Day, it is important to remember we all have a responsibility to help stop the spread of misinformation.” MYTH
Anti-malaria drug chloroquine – touted by president Donald Trump as a “game changer” – cures Covid-19. REALITY
There have been no clinical studies to prove the drug is effective against the symptoms of, or can protect against, coronavirus.
There are trials under way to see if it might work but it is far too early to say if it will prove to be a safe and effective treatment.
The drug is very powerful and not licensed in the UK.
It can also be fatal if taken without proper medical supervision – a man died in Arizona after ingesting chloroquine phosphate, in the form of an additive used to clean fish tanks.
MYTH
An image shared on Facebook shows Muslims queueing to get into a mosque after the lockdown was announced.
REALITY
The picture is real but was taken the Friday before lockdown measures were announced on March 23. It was taken of the Masjid Ibraheem mosque on March 20. At this point, the UK public had been asked, but not ordered, to keep away from pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. MYTH
Home-testing kits will be ready from retailers like Amazon and Boots within days.
REALITY
The timeline revealed to MPs by Professor Sharon Peacock, from Public Health England, has been disputed.
Chief medical officer Chris Witty insisted the focus was currently on ensuring the tests work properly.
He said: “I do not think, and I want to be clear, that this is something we’ll suddenly be ordering on the internet next week.”
Health minister Edward Argar said “good progress” was being made with the evaluation of the tests but he didn’t want to be “premature in setting a specific date when they will be ready”. MYTH
A vaccine for Covid-19 has been created by US scientists and will be ready to use from next Sunday. REALITY
While vaccines are being developed, they are not likely to be ready for at least 18 months.
The videos accompanying the claims are related to Covid-19 diagnostic tests, not vaccines.
The posts claim the vaccine is “able to cure patients within three hours after injection” which is wrong.
Vaccines are a form of preventative healthcare, which help build up immunity to a certain virus or type of bacteria before someone is exposed to it. They cannot cure an illness that a patient has already got. MYTH
5G WiFi networks are responsible for the rapid spread of the coronavirus. REALITY
This is not true and is a conspiracy theory spread online and picked up by some media outlets.
There is no evidence to suggest that 5G has anything to do with Covid-19 or that it may suppress the immune system.
The new coronavirus is also affecting countries and regions where no 5G is present. MYTH
A text message claims the Government is tracking how often we leave the house in the lockdown. REALITY
Some people have received a “Government” text either warning or fining them for not following lockdown advice.
The texts are not official communications and have been confirmed as scams by the police.