Facebook Twitter Tumblr Close Skip to main content
A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Gargling Water With Salt Won’t ‘Eliminate’ Coronavirus

Gargling Water With Salt Won’t ‘Eliminate’ Coronavirus

A viral image circulating online is falsely advising social media users that gargling water with salt or vinegar “eliminates” the coronavirus. There is currently “no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus,” according to the World Health Organization.

Infographic on Facebook Distorts Comparative Facts on Viruses

Infographic on Facebook Distorts Comparative Facts on Viruses

A misleading chart being spread on Facebook, erroneously dubbing the new coronavirus the “least deadly virus,” contains outdated information about the coronavirus and erroneous information about the death rate of the 2009 pandemic of H1N1.

Carter Hasn’t Endorsed in 2020 Primary

Carter Hasn’t Endorsed in 2020 Primary

A popular blog post being shared on Facebook falsely claims that former President Jimmy Carter has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. The post was lifted — almost verbatim — from an old story about Carter’s support for Sanders’ 2016 bid.

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.