Research Guides: Evaluating False News and Misinformation: COVID-19 Myths vs. Facts

Don't Share Fake Medical Information!

(Image: CDN.discordapp.com)

If it's not from a credible source (World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, an authoritative medical professional), DO NOT SHARE!

How to Recognize Credible Coronavirus Information

MissStateExtension, "How to Recognize Credible Coronavirus Information." YouTube, 7 March 2020, https://youtu.be/PLQWAzG-foY.

Fact-Checkers on Coronavirus

Politifact (The Poynter Institute)
Politifact's "Truth-O-Meter" regarding any and all media related to coronavirus, including politician's statements, viral memes, and dubious "cures."
FactCheck.Org (ANnenberg Public Policy Center)
This link goes directly to all fact-checked articles related to coronavirus.
SciCheck
A subpage for FactCheck, this addresses specifically scientific claims.

Recent articles

This box will be updated with debunks of erroneous information re: coronavirus, including false medical advice, rumors of legal and municipal actions, and other related misinformation directly or indirectly related to the pandemic.

‘Covid Parties’ Are Not a Thing (Wired)
No, Alabama frat boys aren’t doing snot shots and betting on who can get sick first. Why does the media keep suggesting otherwise?
No, your hand sanitizer won't catch on fire left in your car (Snopes)
This made the rounds on social media in May. As the weather gets warmer, there is concern that the alcohol content in hand sanitizer makes it combustible. It would have to be 700 degrees Fahrenheit! The only real concern would be the clear bottle refracting light...same as a bottle of water.
Is wildlife really taking over as humans are quarantined? (National Geographic)
All those pictures of clear canals, wildlife taking over, as people stay inside? Many of them are misleading and misused images, according to National Geographic.
Debunking Myths (Twitter Thread)
Dr. Faheem Younus, Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland UCH, tweeted out several myths going around social media regarding coronavirus.
7 ways to avoid misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic (PolitiFact)
By Daniel Funke, March 12, 2020
One dangerous coronavirus 'self-check test' is circulating on social media. Here's why you should avoid it. (CNN)
By Alaa Elassar, CNN; Updated 2:55 AM ET, Tue March 17, 2020
Is Amazon discontinuing orders and shipments? (Snopes)
No, this is mostly false (see the linked article from Snopes).