Covid-19: la pandemia de la mentira by carlos matías
Covid is accompanied by another, much older pandemic: that of fake lies. If the coronavirus has been an unknown disease, spreading falsehoods to cover up the absence of knowledge is a resource as old as mankind. Curiosity leads men to always look for an explanation for everything. But when reason fails to find it, speculations take place.
The origins of Covid have been attributed to disparate and crazy phenomena. From a trial of biochemical and bacteriological warfare, which escaped the control of the Chinese government, to the hypothetical contagion from a bat to a man and from him to all other humans. All speculations have, at some point, been elevated to “news” status.
The World Health Organization has had to issue information to counteract this “infodemic” (pandemic of false information). Here are some of its clarifications:
1. Vitamin and mineral supplements and hydroxychloroquine do not cure Covid-19 2. 5G cellular phone networks do not spread the pandemic 3. The virus can also be transmitted in warm or humid areas 4. Cold does not kill the coronavirus 5. Swimming or being in the water does not transmit the virus 6. Taking a hot bath does not prevent infection either 7. Hand dryers do not kill the virus 8. Mosquitoes and houseflies do not transmit Covid 9. Ultraviolet light lamps do not kill the virus 10. Infrared thermometers do not detect Covid infection 11. Vaccines against pneumonia do not prevent Covid infection 12. You cannot kill the virus by spraying the body with alcohol or bleach 13. Using saline solutions in the nose does not prevent infection 14. Eating whole garlic does not prevent infection either 15. Coronavirus does not affect only adults 16. Taking antibiotics does not prevent or treat Covid 17. There is no proven evidence that some medications prevent coronavirus 18. Drinking bleach or alcohol does not prevent infection, does not provide immunity, and is very dangerous 19. Prolonged use of medical masks does not cause CO2 poisoning or hypoxia 20. Adding hot pepper to soup or other foods does not prevent or cure coronavirus
Globalization and the multiplying effect of social networks have done the dirty work. Fake “news” has spread faster than the pandemic itself. The media and journalists around the world have a responsibility to report scientifically verified, accurate data from official sources. False information can be as dangerous as the disease.
