Last Updated on February 7, 2020
Amid fears of contracting the deadly Coronavirus, some have concocted contrived cures for the Chinese virus which may have devastatingly negative health side effects, such as bleach.
MPR reported on four hoaxes surrounding the Coronavirus which have circulated the internet; for example, bleach, which has allegedly cured the Coronavirus, which has infected tens of thousands in China and claimed hundreds of lives so far.
The report included bleach being a viable cure for certain illnesses, including the deadly virus captivating international attention.
The 20-20-20 pesticide spray was reportedly recommended to protect individuals from infection.
A “toxic bleach” Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), which has been recommended, was banned from being promoted on YouTube as a panacea at the end of last year, following a campaign led by Business Insider.
Some have promoted MMS as a cure for a wide range of conditions from autism to malaria to the flu, leading to the solution’s rise to prominence with assistance through the marketing skills of bootleggers, flogged for around $28 a 4-ounce bottle.
According to Science Alert, the FDA has informed there is no research proving MMS to be an effective treatment, cure, or prevention for any illness, including the Coronavirus.
MMS-related Coronavirus cures were also banned on Facebook, amid a Coronavirus disinformation crackdown, according to the Telegraph.
Business Insider, in another piece, reported that, last year, the FDA warned MMS users of the dangers of the chlorine-dioxide-based remedy after “severe vomiting, diarrhea, life-threateningly low blood pressure, and acute liver failure” were reported following ingestion.
MPR introduced the article containing the hoaxes with a tweet which read: “DO NOT DRINK BLEACH. Drinking bleach will not cure the Coronavirus.”
DO NOT DRINK BLEACH. Drinking bleach will not cure the coronavirus https://t.co/1IY9KpZCAR
— MPR News (@MPRnews) February 7, 2020
Some expressed their disbelief at the report.
One tweeter said: “So, this is where we are at now, huh?”
https://twitter.com/JuiceboxLuther/status/1225783278910791681
Another chimed in, saying: “EXCUSE ME PEOPLE ARE TRYING THIS?”
EXCUSE ME PEOPLE ARE TRYING THIS
— are they…you know…✨ (@ginapostshere) February 7, 2020
MPR listed three other hoaxes including the creation of a vaccine, the virus’ being a bioweapon, and theories linking the virus to a depopulation agenda.
Information surrounding the Coronavirus has been somewhat unreliable at times, leading to efforts from social media platforms to curb the flow of disinformation concerning the virus.
Reports from China have been occasionally contradictory; yesterday, reports of a whistleblowing doctor dying were initially retracted by local press when it was revealed that the doctor was, in fact, in critical condition.
However, the doctor tragically passed away later that day.
