Covid-19 Medical Hoaxes [infographic]

COVID-19 MEDICAL MEDICAL AND AND SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFIC HOAXES: HOAXES: COVID-19 MISINFORMATION TO TO THE THE PUBLIC PUBLIC MISINFORMATION

The Context

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Where did Covid-19 came from?

One of the prevalent medical pandemic-related hoaxes is about the origin of COVID-19. It became a rumor that the virus was intentionally made by China in order to gain economic growth through the profit of vaccines. According to Dr. Judy Mikovits, a discredited Nevada researcher, the virus was created by the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease named Dr. Anthony Fauci. It was assumed that he sent it to China to infect citizens starting from Wuhan progressing globally. This issue was deemed false as it was said that Dr. Mikovits accused Dr. Fauci because he discredited her research due to fraud. It was her way to annihilate his reputation. According to Scripps Research Institute, there is no way to genetically create COVID-19. In addition, the virus was said to be a product of natural evolution. Subsequently, bats and pangolins were also suspected to be the original hosts of the virus. It has been assumed that these animals were present in the Chinese wet market and interacted with a human. There are still no concrete answers about the origin and evolution of this virus, but researchers are investigating with regard to which animal it came from.

COVID-19 MEDICAL MEDICAL AND AND SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFIC HOAXES: HOAXES: COVID-19 MISINFORMATION TO TO THE THE PUBLIC PUBLIC MISINFORMATION Are existing supplements Are home remedies

trustworthy enough?

Home remedies are also popular medical hoaxes that are believed to prevent and cure infected individuals with COVID-19. One of which is the ingestion of disinfectants such as bleach and alcohol. Specifically, speculations said that these disinfectants, when ingested, can kill the virus that might be inside a human’s body. This is completely false because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), ingestion of these chemicals can cause “liquefactive necrosis” and “saponification” which can damage human cells and tissues in the skin. Garlic is also believed to be one of the possible solutions to prevent humanity from getting infected by COVID-19. The reason behind this conjecture is the presence of abundant antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds which can protect the body from illnesses such as common colds and cough. Despite the vegetable’s beneficial effects to the body, WHO said that garlic has not been proven to protect humanity from the said disease.

effective against the virus?

Existing supplements were said to be substantial prophylactics against COVID-19. One of which is Vitamin C taken in abundant amounts. This vitamin has been proven to strengthen the immune system which helps the body build its resistance against diseases. Despite its effectivity to prevent ailments such as common colds, researches said that it cannot be assumed that it leads to successful prevention of COVID-19. Furthermore, supplements containing colloidal silver were assumed to be a precaution from the virus. Colloidal silver is a mineral that can be found in dietary supplements and is able to kill germs present in the body. However, there have been reports that intake of the said mineral has certain side effects such as skin discoloration and poor absorption of antibiotics. It was then examined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was reported to be defective. With this, supplements that contain colloidal silver were banned throughout the country.

COVID-19 MEDICAL MEDICAL AND AND SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFIC HOAXES: HOAXES: COVID-19 MISINFORMATION TO TO THE THE PUBLIC PUBLIC MISINFORMATION

Conclusion

In summary, pandemic-related medical and scientific hoaxes that came from various online platforms cause misinformation and confusion to the public which impeded the discovery of the factual nature of the virus. These hoaxes have not been proven by research and medical institutions making them remain untrue. In conclusion, some of this information about COVID-19 found on the internet is undependable, that is why having a critical stance toward this kind of information is the best solution to avoid getting misled.

Bibliography

Adams, Kathleen K., et al. Myth Busters: Dieta ry Supplements and CO 2020, journals.sagepu VID-19. b.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1 060028020928052. “Coronavirus Disease 2019: Myth vs. Fact.” Coronavirus Disease vs. Fact | Johns Hopk 2019: Myth ins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine .org/health/conditions -anddiseases/coronavirus/2 019-novel-coronaviru s-myth-versus-fact. “COVID-19 Coronavir us Epidemic Has a Na tural Origin.” Science ScienceDaily, 17 Mar. 20 Daily, 20, www.sciencedaily.co m/releases/2020/03 /200317175442.htm. “Fake Cures, Risky Ru mours: COVID-19 Misinf ormation Hits Home.” Mar. 2020, www.chan CNA, 26 nelnewsasia.com/news /world/coronavirus-cu 19-bleach-cocaine-fak re-covide-news-12578050.

Michor, Max. “Disgrace d Nevada Researcher behind Fauci COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory.” Journal, Las Vegas Re vie w-Journal, 3 Aug. 20 www.reviewjournal.co 20, m/local/local-nevada /di sgraced-nevada-rese behind-fauci-covid-19archerconspiracy-theory-.

Piper, Paul S. Better Re ad That Again: Web Ho axes and Misinforma Information Today Inc tion, ., Jan. 2001, www.infotoday.com/ searcher/sep00/piper .htm. Readfearn, Graham. “How Did Coronavirus Start and Where Did from? Was It Really Wu It Come han's Animal Market?” The Guardian, Guardia and Media, 28 Apr. 20 n News 20, www.theguardian .com/world/2020/ap did-the-coronavirus-s r/28/howtart-where-did-it-co me-from-how-did-it-sp humans-was-it-reall ready-bats-pangolins-wuh an-animal-market. Rettner, Rachael. “14 Coronavirus Myths Bu sted by Science.” LiveS Purch, 14 July 2020, ww cience, w.livescience.com/co ronavirus-myths.htm l.