The novel coronavirus issue is rightfully worrying especially with the rapid increase in confirmed cases around the world. It’s no wonder that social media is filled with reminders on correct hygiene and ways to prevent infection. But sadly, some people have used this global issue as a chance to spread fake news and apparently, dangerous conspiracies.
Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory have spread claims that drinking bleach will kill the virus and even the likes of cancer and AIDS.
The bleach concoction in question is called “Miracle Mineral Solution” or “MMS” — a drink that is being advocated by a fringe medical group known as the MMS movement.
According to a report by The Daily Beast, the MMS movement has come together with another faction known as the QAnon movement to encourage more people to buy the bleach solution.
The QAnon movement is made up of conspiracy theorists who believe that US President Donald Trump is in a fight against a secret group of child abusers that consists of Hollywood stars and Democrats.
A big QAnon Twitter account called “Chief Police 2” with a following of almost 18,000 told its new followers in a tweet to get an MMS solution called 20-20-20 spray to protect themselves from the virus.
China expanded its lockdown against the deadly new virus to an unprecedented 36 million people. New followers protect yourself with the 20-20-20 spray. Watch this video It will kill the deadly virus. https://t.co/cWfMQZHoY5
— chiefpolice (@chiefpolice2) January 25, 2020
Jordan Sather, a known MMS and QAnon promoter has also posted a video endorsing MMS.
“I’m going to have to get home, and MMS the whole state,” Sather said in the video. “MMS the whole shit out of everything,” he added.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised people against consuming MMS, warning that it contains acid chlorine dioxide that can cause “severe vomiting” as well as “acute liver failure.” Two deaths have also been linked to drinking MMS.
MMS is not the only substance being peddled as a cure for the novel coronavirus. There is also a post being shared on Facebook groups that say Oregano oil is a possible remedy for the virus, citing an article written over a decade ago.
Unfortunately, just like how there’s no cure for the common cold, there is no cure for the coronavirus — yet. But while the world waits for a nCoV vaccine, it doesn’t mean that your fate is sealed should you catch this illness.
Practicing and Board Certified Family Medicine Doctor Dr. Mikhail “Mike” Varshavski talked about the current outbreak on his YouTube channel on January 28, 2020, wherein he explained how supportive care such as IV fluids or being put on a ventilator helps combat the effects and symptoms caused by the virus.
Further, a Business Insider article reports how, despite appearing more contagious than the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, the 2019 novel coronavirus seems to have a low fatality rate.
It is said that elderly people, children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are the ones who are most vulnerable to the severe complications of the coronavirus.
That being said, people are advised to practice good hygiene like frequent washing of hands and using alcohol-based sanitizers, as well as refraining from touching your face.
In times like this, worrying cannot be helped. But hope is not lost as long as we take proper precautions, keep ourselves informed using only credible sources, and preventing the further spread of wrong information.
