Fake news on social media can cost lives. EU chief warns over

Описание: #Coronavirus myths and fake news circulating on social media can cost lives. We're working with online platforms to stop those seeking to profit from or exploit the crisis. Check your sources, trust health professionals. Together, let's set the record straight. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/worl... #eudebates #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID

Fake news about coronavirus spreading on social media “could cost lives”, Ursula von der Leyen has warned as Facebook posts have been uncovered telling people they can protect themselves by gargling water.

Among the false claims it has dealt with are Facebook and WhatsApp posts citing false advice from the ‘Stanford Hospital Board’ telling people to gargle water every 15 minutes to ‘wash the virus down into the stomach, where acid could kill it’.

Another was a doctored image of a message falsely claiming people would face criminal charges if they left their home ‘for no urgent reason’ from March 20.

Coronavirus Ireland: HSE slam social media 'fake news' that nurses have died from COVID-19

Rumours have been spreading that four nurses have died from the deadly bug!

The HSE has slammed "distressing" social media rumours that a number its nurses have died from coronavirus.

Rumours have been spreading on social media sites such as Twitter that four nurses have died from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.


The healthcare body issued a statement this morning slamming the “fake news”.

The statement said: “The HSE doesn’t comment on individual cases to protect people’s privacy. However, when we become aware of fake news that causes distress to our staff and families we must act.

“Contrary to tweets sent yesterday - thankfully none of our nurses have died in Ireland from #COVID19.”

It was confirmed in a recent press briefing that a healthcare worker had tragically passed away from the virus.

Current data shows 578 of our coronavirus cases are healthcare workers, roughly 23% of all those afflicted in the country.