Phoebe, a 40-year-old Hong Kong doctor, has been dismayed by some of the messages cropping up in her family WhatsApp group in recent days.
As a health expert, she knew none of these methods would work -- and could, in fact, be dangerous -- so she set about warning her family.Researchers say the Internet and chat apps are awash in them. "One regarding the origins of the virus; one about a fake patent, and a third about how to prevent it/cure it," she said.
Some of the misinformation has tapped into prejudices towards Chinese eating habits, or has been used to fuel racist stereotypes.The footage, which was also picked up by western tabloid media outlets, was hailed as proof that China's appetite for exotic animals had caused the crisis. Australia has seen multiple false claims that tap into prejudice towards its sizeable Chinese community.
"The coronavirus is a classic setup for the spread of rumours which are incubated in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty," said Robert Bartholomew, a medical sociologist in New Zealand who has written a book about public panics.
What to do! They have great appetite 🤣🤣🤣
Ni Batman... orang kampong d Sarawak been eating for years! Xde apa2x pun. As 4 snakes, frogs, hoppers, rats and even roaches d Chinese & indo Chinese eat because they had no food during d rise of communism. So, what do u people expect!! Even babi is halal 4 Moslems if no food!
Nak arwah cepat gamok nyer
stop eating babi.
agak2 le . Dettol 😅
Drinking Dettol? 😂😂😂
Nak sihat pun tokseh le minum dettol. kang nak jadi sihat sakit teruih