Thread by @yudhanjaya

#Srilanka #Coronavirus update (2).
So, after going through few hundred messages sent to us, we (@TeamWatchDog) aggregated the current set of rumors down to a few common stories and called up the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit. Here's a batch of updates

- [0] Firstly, a reminder: the number of confirmed cases in Sri Lanka is still only 1, confirms Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health. Anyone claiming higher is making up bullshit.

Source: Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit

- [1] Travel itinerary of the Chinese woman who was infected: Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health, notes that it's unethical to spread such alleged travel information on social media, and the authorities are doing the relevant follow-ups.

- [2] The viral video of Chinese "whistleblower nurse" is unverified information. Different versions of the video exist and it was found that the origin is from a Korean Youtube user.

Source: [bbc.com/news/blogs-tre…]

- [3] The rumour that the Coronavirus was a leak from Wuhan labs is being spread by Gnews, a disreputable website set up by Guo Media, a company linked to Miles Guo, aka Guo Wengui, a Chinese billionaire . . .

...who was accused of money laundering, bribery and rape, and to Steve Bannon — the political strategist behind multiple conspiracy media networks.

Source: [politifact.com…/no-evidence-chinese-officials…/]

- [4] Vitamin-C, Rasam, Asamodhagam, Kottamalli, Ayurvedha and "herbal / natural cures" do not do anything against this coronavirus, confirms Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health. It's a new virus and a cure is still being worked on.

... Watchdog cautions users not to trust these herbal claims, because we have found several people trying to profit by selling herbal medicine claimed to cure viruses.

Source: Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit

- [5] Chinese rolls are not banned in Sri Lanka, despite what a certain viral message claims.

Source: fuck off, I'm eating one right now

- [6] Diyatalawa student quarantine rumor: the Ministry has taken a decision that around 30 people who have come from Wuhan will be observed in isolation; others coming from China outside Wuhan not necessarily at risk, confirms Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Ministry of Health.

...These people have been advised to go home, rest and avoid crowded places in case of infection risk.

- [7] Coronavirus destroyed by high temperatures and alcohol: Dr. Sudath Samaraweera confirms that viruses need a living environment to prosper and most viruses will be destroyed with heat and alcohol-based hand sanitizer. However, do not use liquor or drinking alcohol.

- [8] Children most at risk: false. Current information is that the aged, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at the most risk.

. . . If you see symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, respiratory problems, breathing difficulty), report to your nearest physician immediately, says Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health. If unsure of information, consult your doctor.

- [9] Did China steal the coronavirus from siome Canadian lab? False. The origin of the story is a fake article written by "Tyler Durden", the character from the Brad Pitt movie Fight Club. These rumors have been debunked by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the BBC.

- [10] Wuhan lockdown videos showing workers closing off roads: true. China has been quarantining cities to prevent possible spread and contamination. Residents have been asked not to leave and roadblocks are in place.

. . . however, because of how this stuff appears on WhatsApp: the number of people in these cities does not mean they are infected. We've seen people abuse these numbers.

Source: [channelnewsasia.com…/wuhan-virus-china-pneumon…]
Source2: [bbc.com/news/world-asi…]

- [11] On-arrival visa has been cancelled for Chinese citizens coming to Sri Lanka. Further, passengers will only be allowed to enter the BIA from 6 am today, as a precautionary measure.

Source: [

https://twitter.com/AzzamAmeen/status/1221998300460544001

]
Source2: [@NewsfirstSL]

Some of these things are blatantly stupid. You're going to see them in slightly mutated forms, and this kind of misinformation spreads faster than any virus (of which, by the way, we still have only one confirmed case).

So do us a favor: if people in your WhatsApp / Facebook / Viber networks post stuff along these lines, especially with that cursed "forwarding as received", tell them:

a) that they're extraordinarily stupid and should shut up.
b) prove their stupidity by sending actual information.

c) stop sending me friend requests (people, WTF) and get the Watchdog app for these updates (watchdog.team or Watchdog Sri Lanka on Google Play and the Apple store).
Even if you don't trust us (excellent), you can read the news we link to.

d) remember that viruses don't give a shit what your politics are, just stop being colossal asswipes.