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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.
RELATED:
The award-winning clinician Faheem Younus proved that facts are the best weapon against the virus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Separating facts and fiction started from this tweet
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
Image credits: FaheemYounus
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.
People thanked the doctor for the eye-opening thread
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What do you think ?
Uncommon Boston 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?
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.
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.
Load More Replies...
Isabel Care 4 years ago
Using my old "Jungle formula" bug repellent might help with social distancing. I found myself repellent when using it...it reeks
Jaxson Evans 4 years ago
My friend wholeheartedly believes that the Americans created Coronavirus as a bio weapon. No matter what we tell him, he believes it. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
kurisutofu 4 years ago
I like the guy with the comment "with respect but...". The guy contradicts a professional based on his intuition ... no wonder we're doomed.
Rachael Kemmett 4 years ago
A study by Chinese researchers looking at the spread of the virus around the globe actually found that the infection rate is slower in areas that are both hot and humid. The study : https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Papers.cfm?abstract_id=3551767
Load More Replies...
Living_Shadow 4 years ago
I've heard from so many people that "We'll, the flu kills more every year!" Well that's simply because the flu infects more people. If COVID-19 infects as many people as the flu does, it would kill much more.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
It's kind of disturbing that a lot of people again show that they lack any common sense. Including the people that are leading countries. The worst thing in this crisis is that organisations are bickering over what governments should and shouldn't do and that governments obviously all just are inventing the wheel for themselves instead of cooperating. We will see which method is most effective but a lot of people will have needlessly died by that time.
Suzi Gauthier 4 years ago
Well, the government isn't using much common sense either. Testing movie stars & telling everyone else to stay home unless they're dying.
Load More Replies...
Jennifer .S 4 years ago
This is literally contradicting everything that the NHS has told us WTF
bill marsano 4 years ago
Dr, You, you are blessed. Everyone else: Google "proper handwashing technique: and klearn how to do it right.
Perpetual Peripheral Persons 4 years ago
Be as Sceptical as you wish, but saying "Really?" is not Debunking any Myth. Great advice though :)
Chris DiFonso 4 years ago
BP, thank you for posting this. Dr. Younus, thank you for dispelling these myths.
Chris DiFonso 4 years ago
Stomach acid doesn't kill or neutralize viruses, or even all bacteria (such as H pylori)
Evripidou Maria 4 years ago
I know that the virus is not "deliberately" spread by China. but their actions to keep it hidden has caused all this to happen (anyone remember the doctor who tried to warn people and was jailed?) So china is to blame
Christophe Beunens 4 years ago
In winter, the immune system is typically weaker as in summer. This is partially due to nutrition (more fruit with vitamine C). Also people are normally closer together all the time, to be in a heated room during winter. That's why you are more prone to a virus infection in winter than in summer.
Real Joe Biden 4 years ago
I heard that you could cure coronavirus by sticking frozen potatoes up your butt. Is this true?
Midnight 4 years ago
Absolutely not. If you need confirmation of this, you are an idiot.
Load More Replies... 
Evil Little Thing 4 years ago
Pretty sure you're a lying, dog-faced pony soldier. The REAL Joe Biden's opponent is TRUMP.
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
My son texted me, "China and Iran? CIA for sure." He was joking, when he read it online he was shocked, "People actually believe this c**p? I was joking." The doctor may have thought the question was too silly to deserve an answer.
Load More Replies... K.Kobayashi 4 years ago
Australia has over 1600 cases now. It's still summer over there.
Load More Replies...
Uncommon Boston 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?
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.
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.
Load More Replies... Isabel Care 4 years ago
Using my old "Jungle formula" bug repellent might help with social distancing. I found myself repellent when using it...it reeks
Jaxson Evans 4 years ago
My friend wholeheartedly believes that the Americans created Coronavirus as a bio weapon. No matter what we tell him, he believes it. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
kurisutofu 4 years ago
I like the guy with the comment "with respect but...". The guy contradicts a professional based on his intuition ... no wonder we're doomed.
Rachael Kemmett 4 years ago
A study by Chinese researchers looking at the spread of the virus around the globe actually found that the infection rate is slower in areas that are both hot and humid. The study : https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Papers.cfm?abstract_id=3551767
Load More Replies... Living_Shadow 4 years ago
I've heard from so many people that "We'll, the flu kills more every year!" Well that's simply because the flu infects more people. If COVID-19 infects as many people as the flu does, it would kill much more.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
It's kind of disturbing that a lot of people again show that they lack any common sense. Including the people that are leading countries. The worst thing in this crisis is that organisations are bickering over what governments should and shouldn't do and that governments obviously all just are inventing the wheel for themselves instead of cooperating. We will see which method is most effective but a lot of people will have needlessly died by that time.
Suzi Gauthier 4 years ago
Well, the government isn't using much common sense either. Testing movie stars & telling everyone else to stay home unless they're dying.
Load More Replies... Jennifer .S 4 years ago
This is literally contradicting everything that the NHS has told us WTF
bill marsano 4 years ago
Dr, You, you are blessed. Everyone else: Google "proper handwashing technique: and klearn how to do it right.
Perpetual Peripheral Persons 4 years ago
Be as Sceptical as you wish, but saying "Really?" is not Debunking any Myth. Great advice though :)
Chris DiFonso 4 years ago
BP, thank you for posting this. Dr. Younus, thank you for dispelling these myths.
Chris DiFonso 4 years ago
Stomach acid doesn't kill or neutralize viruses, or even all bacteria (such as H pylori)
Evripidou Maria 4 years ago
I know that the virus is not "deliberately" spread by China. but their actions to keep it hidden has caused all this to happen (anyone remember the doctor who tried to warn people and was jailed?) So china is to blame
Christophe Beunens 4 years ago
In winter, the immune system is typically weaker as in summer. This is partially due to nutrition (more fruit with vitamine C). Also people are normally closer together all the time, to be in a heated room during winter. That's why you are more prone to a virus infection in winter than in summer.
Real Joe Biden 4 years ago
I heard that you could cure coronavirus by sticking frozen potatoes up your butt. Is this true?
Midnight 4 years ago
Absolutely not. If you need confirmation of this, you are an idiot.
Load More Replies... Evil Little Thing 4 years ago
Pretty sure you're a lying, dog-faced pony soldier. The REAL Joe Biden's opponent is TRUMP.
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
My son texted me, "China and Iran? CIA for sure." He was joking, when he read it online he was shocked, "People actually believe this c**p? I was joking." The doctor may have thought the question was too silly to deserve an answer.
Load More Replies... K.Kobayashi 4 years ago
Australia has over 1600 cases now. It's still summer over there.
Load More Replies... 
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