Here are some general guidelines for dealing with online information about the COVID-19 coronavirus.
If you’re reading something by an anonymous writer, it’s garbage.
If it pitches nearly anything for sale directly related to the coronavirus, especially “testing,” it’s garbage.
If it contains the word “cure,” it’s garbage.
There’s an escalating worldwide effort to contain the virus, but there’s another front where progress is needed. It’s limiting the bottom-feeding scam artists who are poised to capitalize on people’s anxiety by selling them crap that doesn’t work.
Some aren’t even selling anything. They’re just spamming millions of addresses by using the coronavirus to entice people into opening mail full of malware.
As if she didn’t have enough going on, B.C. public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry took time Monday at her regular briefing to alert people to a scam that’s running in B.C.
“I wanted to bring up a disturbing thing that we’ve been made aware of — some people are calling people and offering them fraudulent laboratory testing for cost.”
All COVID-19 testing is done on medical officials officials’ say-so. None are paid for by individuals.
“People should not be asked for money. … So be aware … people are trying to scam people around getting tested.”
There are numerous reports in Europe, Asia and the U.S. of scams, all based on fear of the new disease.
Along with the scams comes a big wave of fake news based on a variety of idiotic conspiracy theories. The New York Times on Monday outlined some of the nonsense spreading on the web.
Facebook, Google and Twitter are expunging the garbage, but not nearly fast enough. The World Health Organization last month started calling it an “infodemic” that is spreading as fast as the virus.
The New York Times quoted a security firm that noted more than 4,000 coronovirus-related websites have been registered since the start of the year. Almost 10% are considered malicious or suspicious.
As well, spammers are trying to cash in. They send emails with an attached document that purports to list “cures.” Opening the document installs bugs that strip the users’ personal information.
The WHO had to issue a public warning last month about emails, from phony WHO officers, that do the same thing.
Newsguard, an organization that tries to curb fake news, told the Times that because the virus news is playing out in real time, it’s easier for someone to make a false claim. “Then, there’s a separation of a few days before anyone with a scientific background, or journalists, are able to debunk the claim.”
People live much more of their lives online now than when previous pandemics like SARS or H1N1 struck. So the potential for fraud, claptrap and lies is greater.
People need to vaccinate themselves with a dose of common sense. A random email from a stranger about coronovirus should go straight to junk.
The World Health Organization isn’t going to email you about the virus. A stranger calling you about tests is running a con.
But Henry herself has noted an upside. Social media has also worked to eliminate one of the crucial problems in battling SARS.
She was one of the key officials who led the response to SARS in Toronto in 2003. In an interview in late January with TV Ontario, just as COVID-19 was emerging, she contrasted the two pandemics.
One of the big differences is that China, where both originated, minimized the impact and extent of SARS by lying about it (my word, not hers).
“They blamed an unusual bacteria. And we said, ‘Huh, okay.’ Then it was radio silence. … There were rumours, but this was before social media.
“The Chinese government was actively very actively telling us: ‘Nothing going on here, look away.’
“That’s completely different this time. China has been forthcoming.
“Social media is so active now. There are 1.4 billion people who won’t let these things go unheard.”
People in search of the straight goods should go to WHO or federal or provincial websites, or trusted media.
Or listen to Dr. Henry. She’s given 20 public briefings so far and there will be more to come.
