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Articles on Coronavirus myths
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Dickens worried for the safety of his sons when diphtheria broke out in France and - in a newly discovered letter - wrote about how the truth was difficult to find.
When it comes to COVID-19 misinformation, not all nations are the same. Some are peddling a larger variety of myths than others - and each seems to have its own personal favourite.
From political ideologies, conspiracy theories or “reopen” protests, when faced with uncertainty, we seek reassurance in the face of mortality through efforts at containment.
Some of the worst health performers in recent weeks have been ‘First World’.
Hospitals have requested that people avoid non-emergency visits, and conspiracy theorists are posting images of empty parking lots online as false proof that COVID-19 is an elaborate hoax.
As if attacks on health workers weren’t upsetting enough, reports indicate broadband engineers are now also being abused - as conspiracy theorists link 5G technology with to COVID-19’s spread.
There’s no shortage of myths, scams and spurious claims circulating about coronavirus.
Top contributors
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Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Research Fellow, La Trobe University
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Professorial Lecturer, American University School of International Service
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PhD Candidate, ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), Australian National University
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Professor and Canada Research Chair in Privacy-Preserving Digital Technologies, Toronto Metropolitan University
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Senior Lecturer, UNSW
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University Fellow in Law, Charles Darwin University
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Health Services Researcher, The University of Melbourne
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Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University
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Co-director and Senior Researcher, Social Media Lab, Toronto Metropolitan University
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Infectious Diseases Physician, Senior Lecturer, James Cook University and, The University of Queensland
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Lecturer, UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia
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Associate Professor, Queen's University Belfast
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Research Specialist, Princeton University
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Assistant Professor, Religious Studies, McMaster University