The rise of the Coroniou is one of the most debated issues worldwide. So far, 3000 people have lost their lives to the virus, while 89000 more have fallen ill. Naturally, there are many theories, true or not, currently circulating in the media. social media.
Specifically in the Twitter, in a period of three months, more than 2 million tweets promoting conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 virus. One of these theories claims that the coronavirus was developed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation or that it was the result of experiments involving biological weapons.
According to the CNN, a Mongolian man, was arrested and jailed for 10 days last month after he began spreading the word that coronavirus, a biological weapon created by USA. In addition he was fined $71.
The Washington Post reports that the US government found more than seven similar fake news stories spread via Twitter. Some misleading tweets also claimed that coronavirus is the result of "inauthentic and coordinated activity" and that foreign governments are deliberately trying to spread fear in relation to the international health emergency that has arisen.
One of the conspiracy theories claims that the coronavirus was created in the laboratories of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is a Chinese science institute linked to the Government of the country. Another version of this theory claims that the first patient infected with the virus belonged to the same institute. A similar theory says that the labs were working to make biological weapons for the Chinese military and the virus was leaked because of a mistake.
What is the truth
The scientists around the world have rejected these conspiracy theories. 27 prominent public health scientists issued a joint statement saying that they oppose all conspiracy theories and strongly condemn them. Their statement was published in a medical journal called The Lancet on 19 February.
As for social media users, it is advisable not to spread and share these theories that are not based on evidence and facts, as many people tend to believe these stories.
The role of social media
Twitter has not made an official statement on the matter, but is working with federal officials to combat conspiracy theories.
However, these reports clearly show how conspiracy theories and fake news are taking on great dimensions. It also shows how the platforms social media play a key role in the spread of misinformation. Η speed with which fake news and conspiracy theories are spreading has surpassed the spread of the virus itself!
