This time around the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are seeing fake news with frequently shared misinformation on social media such as Facebook, Whatsapp, and even TikTok, about what caused the outbreak and how to prevent from getting ill. Many people are spreading fake news such as people can get rid of COVID 19 with sunshine, warm weather and drinking plenty of water.
A recent report from one province in Iran claimed that drinking industrial-strength alcohol can prevent a person from getting infected to coronavirus. Even some smart people are trying to lure people with false information eroding trust in health officials and organisations. According to a poll in March 2020 found 13% of Americans believed the COVID-19 crisis was a hoax. 49% believed the epidemic might be man-made but it’s false information.
It is quite amusing and frustrating to note how even smart and educated people and falling prey to the misinformation.
Many people are even endorsing pseudoscientific ideas.
Promoting unproven remedies are creating outbreak among young, youth and old, thus forcing Twitter, Whatsapp, TikTok, and Facebook to delete the social media posts putting an end to the foolish behaviour.
People sharing fake news before thinking:
In a recent study, about 25% of social media users said fake news was true and 35% said, they share as they believe on the headline.
Reflexive responses – Some people are more susceptible to fake news than others.
Fake News:
The new Coronavirus (COVID19) was deliberately created or released by people. In fact, viruses changes over time and during the outbreak came in contact with humans.
Ordering or buying products shipped from overseas will make a person prone to COVID 19 – The World Health Organization (WHO) says getting infected from a commercial package is relatively low as several days of transit and facing different temperatures and conditions can lower the risk.
Higher humidity may slower the risk of COVID 19 infections as per the two researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but it needs to be confirmed with laboratory measurements.
