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Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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There’s one more threat sweeping the world alongside the coronavirus, and that’s a storm of fake coronanews. No wonder that tech giants like Facebook and Google have joined forces to fight the spread of misinformation. Plus, WHO has announced that they “are not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic.” And it’s as dangerous as the virus itself.

Medical practitioners are getting on board. Faheem Younus, an infectious disease specialist and philanthropist, decided to finally clear the record and debunk all the myths. His Twitter post has been liked 140K times and counting, which shows that people care about getting their facts right.

With so many false tales surfing around, Prof. Younus’ list is a must-read for everyone. And, no, mosquitos don’t spread the virus. Keep that repellent for the camping season.

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The award-winning clinician Faheem Younus proved that facts are the best weapon against the virus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Separating facts and fiction started from this tweet

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

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Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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Image credits: FaheemYounus

Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

Image credits: FaheemYounus

It’s no secret that deceptive messages spread faster. But it turns out that multiple strains of fake news wear people down. Researchers believe that “the more times a person is exposed to a piece of fake news, the more likely they are to become persuaded or infected.” If that info comes from an influential source, it escalates the spread way faster.

Jeff Hancock, a professor of communication at Stanford, knows the reason behind the appeal of fake information online. “Compared to real news, fake news tends to include information that is more surprising, upsetting, or geared to trigger anger or anxiety.” Any information that fits this description should always be fact-checked.

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Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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Doctor Debunks 10 Coronavirus Misconceptions

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Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Justinas Keturka

I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

What do you think ?

Colin L 4 years ago

What people are doing: hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer. What they should be doing: learning scientific literacy.

42points

Uncommon Boston Premium 4 years ago

Nice. Simple. Practical advice, no blaming or criticizing others. It doesn't help anyway. Remember, there are many who don't believe in science, or even math? No climate change, flat earth, vaccines, etc. Can't calculate how much toilet paper they actually use. Do you think they care what you think?

19points

Jeffrey Hagan 4 years ago

Right!!

3points

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Cassie 4 years ago

I find it interesting that the conspiracy theories are all about the US and Chinese governments when this virus emerged in late December after North Korea promised us a "Christmas present". China would have been the easiest place for North Korea to infiltrate to initiate the spread of the virus and has a population density ideal for the initial spread. I'm not saying that's the case, just that these conspiracy theorists aren't really thinking this through.

9points

Monday 4 years ago

Ikr? It's already ridiculous enough that people think this is some government conspiracy...they can at least choose a more realistic point of origin for it.

4points

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Leah Helbig 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Colin L 4 years ago

What people are doing: hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer. What they should be doing: learning scientific literacy.

42points

Uncommon Boston Premium 4 years ago

Nice. Simple. Practical advice, no blaming or criticizing others. It doesn't help anyway. Remember, there are many who don't believe in science, or even math? No climate change, flat earth, vaccines, etc. Can't calculate how much toilet paper they actually use. Do you think they care what you think?

19points

Jeffrey Hagan 4 years ago

Right!!

3points

Load More Replies...

Cassie 4 years ago

I find it interesting that the conspiracy theories are all about the US and Chinese governments when this virus emerged in late December after North Korea promised us a "Christmas present". China would have been the easiest place for North Korea to infiltrate to initiate the spread of the virus and has a population density ideal for the initial spread. I'm not saying that's the case, just that these conspiracy theorists aren't really thinking this through.

9points

Monday 4 years ago

Ikr? It's already ridiculous enough that people think this is some government conspiracy...they can at least choose a more realistic point of origin for it.

4points

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Leah Helbig 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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