COVID-19 MEDICAL

COVID-19 MEDICAL AND

AND SCIENTIFIC
SCIENTIFIC HOAXES:
HOAXES:
MISINFORMATION TO
MISINFORMATION TO THE
THE PUBLIC
PUBLIC

Where did Covid-19

The Context
came from?
One of the prevalent medical pandemic-related hoaxes is about the origin of COVID-19. It became a
rumor that the virus was intentionally made by China in order to gain economic growth through the
profit of vaccines. According to Dr. Judy Mikovits, a discredited Nevada researcher, the virus was
created by the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease named Dr.
Anthony Fauci. It was assumed that he sent it to China to infect citizens starting from Wuhan
progressing globally. This issue was deemed false as it was said that Dr. Mikovits accused Dr. Fauci

VI D- 19 ha ve be en em er gi ng th ro ughout because he discredited her research due to fraud. It was her way to annihilate his reputation.
CO
Medical and scientific hoaxes about
According to Scripps Research Institute, there is no way to genetically create COVID-19. In addition,
n ab ou t th e ac tu al na tu re of the the virus was said to be a product of natural evolution.
atio
the internet, leading to misinform rd in g CO VI D-19 quickly
al th info rm at ion re ga
disease.  The circulation  of he
Subsequently, bats and pangolins were also suspected to be the original hosts of the virus. It has

fo rm s w hi ch m ak e te en ag er s an d elderly been assumed that these animals were present in the Chinese wet market and interacted with a
evolves through various online plat ed ic al m aint en an ce are human. There are still no concrete answers about the origin and evolution of this virus, but
he alth ca re an d m
susceptible to misinformation. As
researchers are investigating with regard to which animal it came from.
al de m an ds of th e co un tr y, th e pu blic
edic
constantly strained with the high m pu la rit y to the rise of
e so ur ce s. Th is ga ve po
rely on information from onlin w ith th e necessary
ca us e co nf us ion
pandemic-related myths that sh ou ld be ex po sed and
Th us, th es e ho ax es
precautions and safety measures. an at io ns so that the
fa cts an d lo gi ca l ex pl
debunked through scientific
general public is well-informed.
 COVID-19 MEDICAL
COVID-19 MEDICAL AND
AND SCIENTIFIC
SCIENTIFIC HOAXES:
HOAXES:
MISINFORMATION TO
MISINFORMATION TO THE
THE PUBLIC
PUBLIC
Are home remedies Are existing supplements
trustworthy enough? effective against the virus?

Home remedies are also popular medical hoaxes that are believed to prevent and cure infected
individuals with COVID-19. One of which is the ingestion of disinfectants such as bleach and alcohol.
Specifically, speculations said that these disinfectants, when ingested, can kill the virus that might be
inside a human’s body. This is completely false because according to the World Health Organization (WHO),
ingestion of these chemicals can cause “liquefactive necrosis” and “saponification” which can damage
human cells and tissues in the skin.
Garlic is also believed to be one of the possible solutions to prevent humanity from getting infected by
COVID-19. The reason behind this conjecture is the presence of abundant antioxidants and antimicrobial
compounds which can protect the body from illnesses such as common colds and cough. Despite the
vegetable’s beneficial effects to the body, WHO said that garlic has not been proven to protect humanity
from the said disease.
Existing supplements were said to be substantial prophylactics against COVID-19. One of which is
Vitamin C taken in abundant amounts. This vitamin has been proven to strengthen the immune
system which helps the body build its resistance against diseases. Despite its effectivity to prevent
ailments such as common colds, researches said that it cannot be assumed that it leads to
successful prevention of COVID-19.
Furthermore, supplements containing colloidal silver were assumed to be a precaution from the virus.
Colloidal silver is a mineral that can be found in dietary supplements and is able to kill germs present in
the body. However, there have been reports that intake of the said mineral has certain side effects such
as skin discoloration and poor absorption of antibiotics. It was then examined by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and was reported to be defective. With this, supplements that contain colloidal
silver were banned throughout the country.
 COVID-19 MEDICAL
COVID-19 MEDICAL AND
AND SCIENTIFIC
SCIENTIFIC HOAXES:
HOAXES:
MISINFORMATION TO
MISINFORMATION TO THE
THE PUBLIC
PUBLIC
Conclusion
Bibliography
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These hoaxes have not been proven by Piper, Paul S. Better Re

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ad That Again: Web Ho
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axes and Misinforma
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research and medical institutions making

www.infotoday.com/
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them remain untrue. In conclusion, some of

“How Did Coronavirus
from? Was It Really Wu Start and Where Did
han's Animal Market?” It Come
and Media, 28 Apr. 20 The Guardian, Guardia
20, www.theguardian n News
did-the-coronavirus-s .com/world/2020/ap

this information about COVID-19 found on the

tart-where-did-it-co r/28/how-
humans-was-it-reall me-from-how-did-it-sp
y-bats-pangolins-wuh read-
an-animal-market.

internet is undependable, that is why having a

Rettner, Rachael. “14
Coronavirus Myths Bu
Purch, 14 July 2020, ww sted by Science.” LiveS
w.livescience.com/co cience,
ronavirus-myths.htm
l.

critical stance toward this kind of information

is the best solution to avoid getting misled.