On Social media, Coronavirus fake news travels faster than Covid-19 virus. When the world is busy finding the vaccine or an antidote for it since the outbreak of the virus, there are different theories and hoaxes revolving around as myths.
From Donald Trump’s retweet of a false video about a claim that an anti- malaria drug can be the cure for the virus which was later revealed that it was a Russian intelligence who was trying to spread this misinformation about the crisis on different English websites.
The WHO also showed its concern over a fake WhatsApp message, which talked about the different steps and protocol released by the WHO for the lockdown in India. WHO had to issue clarification: “WHO would like to clarify that a FAKE message is being circulated on social media stating that it has released a four step protocol and procedure for lockdown in India. WHO has NOT issued any such advisory or protocol.
Please visit Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO Website for verified information on COVID-19”
Statement on False Allegations in @derspiegel: Reports of a 21 Jan phone call between @DrTedros & 🇨🇳 President Xi are unfounded & untrue. They didn’t speak on 21 Jan & have never spoken by 📞
Such inaccurate reports distract & detract from WHO’s & the 🌍’s efforts to end #COVID19— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 9, 2020
There are several conspiracy theories going around about different treatments and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
To which the WHO clarified by saying. “To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus,
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However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners”
Michael Osterholm, head of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy also claimed and taking care of the fake news said, “It is a challenge in terms of trying to get the message to the public about what they can really do to protect themselves and what the facts are behind the problem”
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There are myths circulating about the preventions and cures of COVID-19 like taking a hot bath prevents COVID-19 which is not true on which the WHO Cleared and said, “Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.”
Therefore the social media is hence flooded with misinformation and disbeliefs which poses a huge threat to the social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter as well as poses a threat to the social media users too. Any news regarding this crisis requires a proper authentication so now twitter has started putting warning messages on tweets which contains misleading information about Covid19
