Outbreak Covid-19

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Covid-19

Misinformation
FALSE: Asthma plant is not a proven cure for COVID-19
FALSE: Asthma plant is not a proven cure for COVID-19
Jun 08
The plant may be used to manage some symptoms, but there is no cure for Covid-19.
Scammers use WhatsApp chain message to harvest personal data
Scammers use WhatsApp chain message to harvest personal data
South Africans have been targeted by a rehashed "free voucher" scam by linking it to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bill Gates trends in South Africa after coronavirus anti-vaxxer conspiracy theory goes viral
Bill Gates trends in South Africa after coronavirus anti-vaxxer conspiracy theory goes viral
Forged statement about Gates Foundation vaccine investments shows rapid spread of misinfo.
Facebook shut down commercial disinformation network based in Myanmar and Vietnam
Facebook shut down commercial disinformation network based in Myanmar and Vietnam
A telecom provider used inauthentic pages to discredit its competitors.
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FALSE: There is no evidence that pregnant women are at greater risk of getting Covid-19
FALSE: There is no evidence that pregnant women are at greater risk of getting Covid-19
Jun 08
The claim, made on Facebook, is not supported by research.
FALSE: There is no evidence that smoking cannabis can prevent COVID-19
FALSE: There is no evidence that smoking cannabis can prevent COVID-19
Research from the WHO indicates cannabis smokers may be at higher risk.
FALSE: This appeal asking Africans to reject COVID-19 vaccines is fake
FALSE: This appeal asking Africans to reject COVID-19 vaccines is fake
The post is attributed to Barack Obama, but appears to be completely fabricated.
FALSE: This post claiming Covid-19 cannot spread in warm weather is inaccurate
FALSE: This post claiming Covid-19 cannot spread in warm weather is inaccurate
Covid-19 can be transmitted in all areas, regardless of climate.
FALSE: This post claiming that compounds found in tea can cure Covid-19 is a hoax
FALSE: This post claiming that compounds found in tea can cure Covid-19 is a hoax
While they may be good for one’s health, tea compounds cannot cure coronavirus.
FALSE: Holding your breath is not a proven self-check test for Covid-19
FALSE: Holding your breath is not a proven self-check test for Covid-19
The method is unproven and has not been recommended by health authorities.
FALSE: This post claiming Covid-19 is caused by bacterial infection is a hoax
FALSE: This post claiming Covid-19 is caused by bacterial infection is a hoax
Scientific and medical evidence shows Covid-19 is a result of a viral infection.
HOAX: 5G technology is not linked to the Covid-19 pandemic
HOAX: 5G technology is not linked to the Covid-19 pandemic
Research shows no relationship between the disease and wireless technology.
FALSE: Lemon and ginger mixture is not a cure for Covid-19
FALSE: Lemon and ginger mixture is not a cure for Covid-19
While the mixture has potential health benefits, it is not effective against the disease, which is spread by a virus.
TRUE: Uganda bans truck drivers without negative Covid-19 certificates
TRUE: Uganda bans truck drivers without negative Covid-19 certificates
Only drivers with evidence of a negative test will be allowed into the country.
FALSE: African leaders have not approved Madagascar’s Covid-19 herbal remedy
FALSE: African leaders have not approved Madagascar’s Covid-19 herbal remedy
Discussions are still ongoing at the AU over its safety and effectiveness.
Covid-19 conspiracies amplified on social media by South African political party
Covid-19 conspiracies amplified on social media by South African political party
Conspiracies amplified as politicians question South Africa's president.
Disinfo targeting South African Defence Force surges amid Covid-19 lockdown
Disinfo targeting South African Defence Force surges amid Covid-19 lockdown
Users shared decontextualised content as the military-enforced lockdown began.
Facebook shuts down Egyptian disinfo network, bans two marketing companies
Facebook shuts down Egyptian disinfo network, bans two marketing companies
More than 1,700 assets targeting people in Middle East and North Africa removed.
South Africa-based Facebook groups stoked Covid-19 fears to sell face masks
South Africa-based Facebook groups stoked Covid-19 fears to sell face masks
A marketing company created groups that fuelled fearmongering and conspiracies.
The South African information space: a legacy of disinfo from apartheid to 2020
The South African information space: a legacy of disinfo from apartheid to 2020
Many years into democracy, South Africa still struggles with media distrust.
Third-party botspotting tool had South African politicians tilting at windmills
Third-party botspotting tool had South African politicians tilting at windmills
Inaccurate analysis had politicians accusing others of social media manipulation.
Twitter account impersonating South African prosecutor suspended
Twitter account impersonating South African prosecutor suspended
The account promised the country “high profile arrests” before suspension.
Unverified narratives about virus origins spreads across the U.S.
Unverified narratives about virus origins spreads across the U.S.
Infodemic worsens as unverified claims about Covid-19 dominate media coverage
Venezuelan fringe websites impersonate media outlets on Facebook
Venezuelan fringe websites impersonate media outlets on Facebook
Fake media outlet Facebook pages created by Venezuelan fringe websites.
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CodeforAfrica

How should Africa, with its fragile healthcare systems and large informal economies tailor global strategies for fighting Covid-19 to ensure they are feasible and effective locally? African policymakers and health agencies need evidence-based insights with strong local context to make informed decisions. Outbreak.AFRICA seeks to help by giving actionable data and expert insights.
This Code for Africa initiative was made possible with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
CodeforAfrica
This Code for Africa initiative was made possible with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
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