The coronavirus fears are still going strong and as a result, lots of rumours and messages are circulating online. However, not all of these are true and you should really be careful about believing any of these. In fact, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Malaysia has confirmed that there are at least seven fake news pieces that are being disseminated online.
In a Facebook post uploaded on their page recently, they warn that individuals should not share these fake news or legal action can be taken against them.
These seven fake news include:
1. Positive case of a Datin who lives in Alamanda testing positive for Covid-19
The message warns others about this Datin who had been on a flight from KL to Miri. The MOH has refuted this claim and said that this is not true.
2. Nine local areas which had previously reported incidents of Covid-19
You can read about this in detail here.
3. A message from “UNICEF” claiming that all masks can stop the wearer from getting infected with Covid-19
The message claims that any kind of masks can stop coronavirus from entering your body as the size of the virus was too big. However, this is not true. The message also says that gargling with warm salt water can kill the germs but this has not been scientifically proven. UNICEF also denied that they have issued such a message.
4. An update message asking others to avoid Alamanda and IOI City Mall
This is believed to be an update from the message in point 1, saying that the victim had visited places in IOI City Mall, Alamanda and Bangi.
5. Update on the message in point 2
This message said that Subang Jaya Medical Centre was affected by Covid-19 and the centre did have patients who tested positive for it. But after proper disinfection and cleaning, there’s no reason to be afraid of going to that hospital.
6. Hotline and list of 26 hospitals that can handle Covid-19 cases
While the list of hospitals may be valid, the 1300 hotline stated there is actually wrong. This number is actually the hotline for Communicable Disease Control in South Australia.
7. Claims that several government hospitals are not safe
MOH confirms that there is no such thing about these hospitals being unsafe and advises people not to simply spread fake news.
There you have it, don’t simply share news if you are not sure! Always check before sharing so that you don’t contribute to the panic about Covid-19.
Also read: Viral WhatsApp Message Listing 9 Places in KL With Previous Cases of Covid-19 is FAKE!
