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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Contrary to False Posts, Sanitizer Helpful Against Coronavirus

Contrary to False Posts, Sanitizer Helpful Against Coronavirus

Screenshots circulating on Facebook falsely claim that hand sanitizer will “do nothing for the coronavirus.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol can be used to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus.

Viral Biden Video Is Deceptively Edited

Viral Biden Video Is Deceptively Edited

A deceptively edited clip of Joe Biden makes it look like he endorsed President Donald Trump. Actually, he said that Trump would be re-elected if Democrats wage a negative campaign.

Coronavirus Prank Falsely Tells of Workplace, School Closings

Coronavirus Prank Falsely Tells of Workplace, School Closings

Facebook posts, evidently intended as a prank, erroneously claim that the government — or specific states such as Michigan or Florida — has mandated that employers and schools close for two weeks in response to the coronavirus. No such announcement has been made.

Viral Posts Misrepresent California Primary Results

Viral Posts Misrepresent California Primary Results

Viral posts falsely claim President Donald Trump received more votes in the California primary than the top two Democratic candidates combined. Unofficial totals show that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden received 1,842,471 votes; Trump received 1,486,415.

Article Falsely Reports on Health of Pope Francis

Article Falsely Reports on Health of Pope Francis

An article circulating on social media claims without evidence that Pope Francis and two of his aides have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The Vatican has said the pope has a cold, “with no symptoms related to other pathologies.”

Social Posts Share Fake Schumer Tweet

Social Posts Share Fake Schumer Tweet

Posts on Facebook falsely claim to show screenshots of two tweets by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about the U.S. coronavirus response. Schumer didn’t post the supposed tweet criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to bar travelers from China.

COVID-19 Tests Don’t Cost Over $3,000

COVID-19 Tests Don’t Cost Over $3,000

A meme with the false claim that “[t]he US is charging over $3,000 per test” for patients who may have COVID-19 has been circulating on social media. For now, the two agencies authorized to test for the illness are not billing patients.

Image Altered to Show KKK Members with Trump Sign

Image Altered to Show KKK Members with Trump Sign

A doctored image on social media shows members of the KKK carrying a Trump-Pence campaign banner. The original image, which predates President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign by several years, does not.