Don’t wear a mask. Drink semen-infused drinks. Eat papad (crisps). If you are an active social media user, you probably have come across such posts on coronavirus prevention. Well, there is one problem. They are all fake.
Over the past few months, the world’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic has been derailed by a flurry of conspiracy theories, hoaxes and misinformation.
From the time the virus emerged as a global threat, conspiracy theories and misinformation emerged online on various social media platforms. But such theories have increased lately across the globe, threatening the global effort to combat the deadly virus.
Some of these posts have been shared and endorsed by popular figures – from presidents to eminent personalities and social media influencers – as well.
US President Donald Trump was recently in the limelight for sharing false claims about anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. He claimed that the drug was effective against the novel coronavirus despite many experts including the World Health Organisation (WHO) stating that the drug is ineffective.
Popstar Madonna was also recently in the news for spreading a conspiracy theory about the coronavirus on Twitter. On Instagram, Madonna posted a video featuring Dr Stella Immanuel, known for making bizarre claims in the past.
In the video, Immanuel suggested that facemasks are completely unnecessary and that she has cured hundreds of coronavirus patients with hydroxychloroquine, which seems to have become a Donald Trump favourite.
Experts are now worried that such a flurry of hoaxes and misinformation can undermine the efforts that are being undertaken to slow the global spread of the virus.
Even worse are reports about some people saying that the virus is harmless and that it does not even exist. There are other crazier theories that are doing rounds:
1) It is a biological weapon
2) It has been created by the pharmaceutical industry to make money by selling vaccines.
These are false as well and there is not even an iota of evidence to show otherwise.
And have you heard the 5G Covid conspiracy theory?
A bizarre theory emerged online in May which suggested that fifth-generation telecom networks were speeding up the spread of novel coronavirus. It led to vandalisation of over 50 phone masts in the UK.
Though this bizarre theory has been debunked, there are thousands of new fake theories that are being linked to the coronavirus every day.
In fact, even documentaries riddled with misleading theories about the coronavirus are now emerging. A 26-minute documentary titled ‘Plandemic’ was in the news in May which made numerous false claims regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
An article published on The Verge said that the documentary got 7.1 million views before it was taken down.
Even worse, a US right-wing online news platform, Briebart, recently broadcast a video that was shared over 17 million times. It was the same video US President Donald Trump had shared.
In the video, a group called America’s Frontline Doctors promoted the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine as a preventive cure for Covid-19. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr, was suspended from tweeting for 12 hours after he shared the video.
Soon after it was tweeted by Donald Trump, the video went viral and #hydroxychloroquine became a top trend. The video is still being shared by people on social media on multiple platforms, thus fuelling misinformation.
That’s not all, there is worse.
A UK fitness blogger recently claimed that she can boost her immune system and stay protected from coronavirus by drinking ‘semen smoothies’. However, there is no medical theory which remotely suggests that drinking semen can boost immunity or fight coronavirus.
Misinformation and false claims about the coronavirus are emerging from India as well. You probably have heard of ‘Bhabiji Papad’ that was endorsed by Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. He claimed that the food item will help protect individuals from the novel coronavirus. While the video went viral soon after he made the claim, there is no proof to substantiate his claim.
Some are even linking the coronavirus with faith. Another BJP minister recently claimed that the novel coronavirus will be destroyed once the Ram Temple is built.
There are many more conspiracy theories and hoaxes about the coronavirus doing rounds online – some about vaccines or preventive cures. To make it clear, there are several vaccines that are currently in development for Covid treatment, but it is likely that the first ones will likely emerge next year.
As far as the coronavirus situation is concerned, the deadly infection has infected over 1.7 crore people around the globe and over 6.6 lakh people have died. Experts have also made it clear that the world’s fight against Covid is far from over.
Individuals who want authentic updates on the pandemic situation should try following official sources disseminating information like government websites, health ministries and organisations like WHO.
