COVID-19 Posts with inaccurate information

[CDreamer]

Good Morning Guys - I just received a What’s APP post from a friend with what appears to be good information regarding COVID-19 information. This is being widely circulated and has several versions and contains some information which is useful and some which is not and completely inaccurate.

Do be aware of these posts and if you are ever unsure of the provenance then you check accuracy at this web-site

fullfact.org/online/coronav...

[BobD Volunteer]

Agreed. Too many vested interests and miss-information out there. Lots of conspiracy theories too.

[colo60 in reply to BobD]

It started with a Bat is the best conspiracy theory i've heard Bob lol

[wilsond]

Good morning from Sunny Warwickshire! Thank you for this,I have signed up to Full Fact for future reference.

[Buffafly]

I had one of those circulated by my local U3A group. I was frankly disgusted. It purported to come from an academic in China and had all the hallmarks of a fake - to me 😠

[CDreamer in reply to Buffafly]

What really worries me is that this person will not accept that it’s false, thinks that because it’s come ‘from a friend’ that is sufficient proof of provenance and cannot provide links as to the origin and that they are a retired medic!

[Coco51 in reply to CDreamer]

And they can never name the original friend....

[Buffafly in reply to CDreamer]

Mine was 'from a reliable source' - my response was 'Where is Donald Trump when you need him?'

[CDreamer in reply to Buffafly]

😂

[Coco51]

Yes I've had this one already and I did wonder. So thank you. These things seem to come from a friend, but are usually unanimously sourced e.g. from "a friend who's been to China wanted to pass this on", and end with "please share". I don't get why people do it!

[CDreamer in reply to Coco51]

Sometimes Malware is attached, sometimes it’s just ignorance and sometimes it’s to purposely to propagate misinformation. Some crazy people out there.

[Coco51 in reply to CDreamer]

Yes, of course, the malware!

[Peddling]

I received this some days ago and pinged it off to several friends. Have to say I found it quite plausible, but I will stop gargling now 🤔

[CDreamer in reply to Peddling]

That’s the problem - it is plausible and in parts offered some very good advice.

[irene75359]

Thank you for this, really useful. I think there is so much misinformation out there (and not just about coronavirus) that I never share, repost or pass any anything on.

[CDreamer in reply to irene75359]

Wise. I like to check the provenance and thankfully sites such as fullfact can be very useful. The heading on mine was said to originate from Stanford which I guess someone thought gave it credibility - but when there is no link to the original source I am always suspicious and that it why we are asked to do provide links on this forum.

Best wishes.

[JackyMac]

I wonder about people who spit. Are we saying that once it hits the ground it's no longer a threat?

[Dangerousdriver in reply to JackyMac]

Until you fall face first into it! 😂