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Coronavirus: How to tell fact from fiction

Misleading information is spreading like wildfire on social media
Jeff Rossen
Coronavirus: How to tell fact from fiction

Misleading information is spreading like wildfire on social media

Hey, guys. We have been combing social media, and the rumors are scary. Getting scarier and being watched by millions, including kids who think these rumors are really, for example, Google reporting a spike in people searching Corona virus and beer. Put a big X up there. I'm here to tell you that no, the virus has nothing to do with the beer company. But other rumors are downright dangerous. Like this one. The drinking bleach is a miracle cure for the Corona virus. That one was distributed widely today. Put up the X, also not true. Don't ever try that. There was an unsubstantiated report that the virus is linked to a covert biological weapons program in China. Again, the X That is not true. And listen to this next 11 guy on the popular tic Tac app. All of our kids use it. Dressed in a white lab coat claimed to be working on the vaccine, showing a vile of normal blood next to a vial from a virus patient. Guess how many views that one got 2.4 million views, and you get it by now. That's not true, either. Tic Tac says it will remove videos like that that includes falsehoods about the Corona virus and also the other big social media platforms say they, too, are trying to remove this kind of content, but it keeps popping up. It's like whack a mole, and we also are here to give you something. Fax, fax. You can trust right now. There is no vaccine for the Corona virus, but scientists are working quickly to find one. The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for atleast 20 seconds. If you don't have soap and water, they want you to use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Stay home When you are sick. Don't be a hero and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. We hear that all the time, but then I want you to take that tissue thrown in the trash. Don't leave it on your night stands are on your desk at work. This is all a good reminder to get your information from trusted sources like us or official government organizations like the CDC or the World Health Organization. We have more information separating fact from fiction about the Corona virus along with links to those organizations on our website. Right now, I urge you to go there. Rawson reports dot com Back to you.
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Coronavirus: How to tell fact from fiction

Misleading information is spreading like wildfire on social media
Jeff Rossen
Coronavirus has nothing to do with beer. And drinking bleach not only won't cure coronavirus, it could do some serious damage. Yet these are just a couple of the types of false and misleading ideas spreading on social media related to the virus that the World Health Organization has declared a "public health emergency of international concern." It's a good reminder to get your information from trusted sites, including government health agencies and sources, like these:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers detailed updates on its site, including maps and information for travelers, health officials and the general public. The World Health Organization offers what it calls a "one-stop shop for all information and guidance" about the current outbreak.Factcheck.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate," published a Q&A on the virus. For more on how to protect yourself against misinformation, watch the video above.

Coronavirus has nothing to do with beer. And drinking bleach not only won't cure coronavirus, it could do some serious damage. Yet these are just a couple of the types of false and misleading ideas spreading on social media related to the virus that the World Health Organization has declared a "public health emergency of international concern."

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It's a good reminder to get your information from trusted sites, including government health agencies and sources, like these:

  • The offers detailed updates on its site, including maps and information for travelers, health officials and the general public.
  • The what it calls a "one-stop shop for all information and guidance" about the current outbreak.
  • Factcheck.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate," on the virus.

For more on how to protect yourself against misinformation, watch the video above.