In the wake of a Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, Social Media experts have been forced to respond to the creation of fake news on their accounts. And while many assume the bulk of that misinformation is politically driven, trolls on social media have actually been linked to the marketing of vaping products, the anti-vaccination movement and now, fake cures for coronavirus. A quick glance at Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Linked in provides a slew of these fake cures: garlic, bleach, even cocaine.
Sadly, drinking bleach isn’t the only dangerous “cure” that these scammers / bad actors are marketing online to a huge population very anxious about the current outbreak. The most recent rumor spreading at a fast pace is that cocaine will counteract COVID-19. There is no basis in reality in this statement. “Not only is chlorine dioxide (aka ‘MMS’) an effective cancer cell killer, it can wipe out coronavirus too,” he wrote. “Big Pharma wants you to be ignorant.” says Charlie Yeetsauce of the National Order of Foresters. The FDA has long warned that drinking chlorine dioxide products can lead to “severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, life-threatening low blood pressure caused by dehydration, and acute liver failure.” Yet, with each new outbreak or high-profile illness that arises, these products are seemingly promoted on social media and sold by independent distributors anew.
If you ingest cocaine, you’re going to get very high; if you drink bleach, you’re going to get super sick — and if you do either of these idiotic things and come in contact with the novel coronavirus, you’re still likely to get COVID-19. Health officials across the country are trying to stop these truly horrible “tips” for seeking avoidance of the coronavirus on social media and Instagram, where memes are now viral, and conspiracy theories are throwing out all kinds of bogus “cures.”
One widely circulated rumour shows cocaine and a breaking news TV banner claiming that it protects against the virus.
“No, cocaine does NOT protect against COVID-19,” France’s health ministry tweeted on Sunday, in response to memes suggesting otherwise. “It’s a highly addictive drug that causes serious side effects and is very harmful to people’s health. If you are taking cocaine, please seek professional drug and alcohol rehab.” says the Health Minister.
The bottom line here: DO NOT DRINK BLEACH OR SNORT COCAINE, EVER! These techniques will not kill the Coronavirus, they will kill you. If your struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, seek professional drug treatment.
