Coronavirus Fact Check
Need to know if the latest COVID-19 rumor is true? News Break is here to help you separate fact from fiction.
Is the United States is the only country with lockdown protests?
Confirmed FALSE
The U.S. Isn’t the Only Country With Lockdown Protests
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Did Trump tweet Obama failed to prepare him for a pandemic?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: President Trump Did NOT Tweet Obama ‘Had 8 Years To Prepair The Next President For A Pandemic And He Failed’
leadstories.com
Was Fauci a member of Microsoft’s board?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Fauci served on Microsoft’s board with Bill Gates
Reuters
Is this list of flu shot ingredients real?
Confirmed FALSE
Misinformation on US flu shot ingredients resurfaces during pandemic
afp.com
Will flu shots make you test positive for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Flu shot will not make you test positive for COVID-19
afp.com
Did Tom Hanks and wife die from COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson died from COVID-19
Reuters
Is COVID-19 death rate of NYC 200 times higher than the world’s largest 10 cities?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: COVID-19 Death Rate In NYC Is NOT 200 Times Higher Than World’s 10 Largest Cities
leadstories.com
Is White House selling coronavirus coins?
Confirmed FALSE
The White House Isn’t Selling Coronavirus Coins
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Is the mortality rate of COVID-19 0.004%?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: The death rate of the new coronavirus is 0.004 percent
Reuters
Can these herbs and spices prevent COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: 12 herbs and spices can prevent or treat different viruses
Reuters
Did Trump urge people to inject disinfectants?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Trump Did NOT Urge People To Inject Disinfectants To Thwart Coronavirus
leadstories.com
Does this Facebook post show vaccine for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Facebook Users Wrongly Tie Dog Vaccine to Novel Coronavirus
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Did Pennsylvania House pass COVID-19 funding in June 2019?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Pennsylvania House Did NOT Pass COVID-19 Funding In June 2019; NO Evidence Pandemic Was Planned
leadstories.com
Did Ohio man who called COVID-19 a “political ploy” die from the disease?
Confirmed TRUE
Ohio man dies from coronavirus after online posts calling it ‘Bulls—‘ and ‘Political Ploy’
Fox News
Those who reported lower incomes in 2019 will receive stimulus payments first?
Confirmed TRUE
True claim: People who reported lower incomes will receive U.S. stimulus payments first
Reuters
Are disposable surgical masks reversible?
Confirmed FALSE
Post gives inaccurate surgical mask instructions during COVID-19 pandemic
afp.com
Was a Brazilian chloroquine study on COVID-19 patients halted after 11 deaths?
Confirmed TRUE
True claim: Brazilian chloroquine study on COVID-19 patients was halted after 11 deaths
Reuters
Is this regimen a cure for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Say goodbye to coronavirus with a daily regimen of vitamins C and E, sunlight, resting, drinking water, an egg, and an alkaline diet
Reuters
Did Amazon’s Alexa say the government released the coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Amazon’s Alexa Does NOT Say ‘The Government’ Released Coronavirus
leadstories.com
Does vitamin C cure COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Vitamin C cures the new coronavirus
Reuters
Does this photo show throat infected with COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
This photo does not show throat infected with novel coronavirus
afp.com
Did this guy “die twice” from COVID-19 on news media?
Confirmed FALSE
Reports Didn’t Misrepresent One Man’s Death as Two
Annenberg Political Fact Check
No Democrats voted for the stimulus package?
Confirmed FALSE
Democrats did vote for legislation to combat the novel coronavirus crisis
afp.com
Does this screenshot accurately list who’s NOT eligible for stimulus checks?
Confirmed TRUE
True claim: Screenshot list shows who is not eligible for U.S. stimulus checks
Reuters
Will you have to repay the coronavirus stimulus check?
Confirmed FALSE
Coronavirus relief checks won’t have to be repaid, feds say
AP
Can these 800 numbers help you track stimulus checks?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Sex Lines Do NOT Have Stimulus Checks Information
leadstories.com
Is U.S. coronavirus response “slowly introducing martial law”?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: U.S. coronavirus response “slowly introducing” martial law
Reuters
Did Kroger offer a one-hour shopping spree free of charge?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Kroger Did NOT Offer Chance For A Shopping Spree Giveaway Amid COVID-19
leadstories.com
Did Michigan Gov. ban the sale of American flags amid COVID-19 pandemic?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Michigan Gov Did NOT Ban Sale Of American Flags During Coronavirus Outbreak
leadstories.com
Did Kentucky order police to record license plates of Easter churchgoers?
Confirmed TRUE
Kentucky State Police mark license plate numbers of churchgoers who attended in-person services
WHAS 11
Do quinine and zinc prevent COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Quinine And Zinc Do NOT Prevent Coronavirus; NO Proof Schweppes Tonic Water Helps
leadstories.com
Is a NY island being used as a burial site for unclaimed COVID-19 victims?
Confirmed TRUE
Burials On New York Island Are Not New But Are Increasing During Pandemic
NPR
Did 7 children die from the COVID-19 vaccine in Senegal?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: COVID-19 Vaccine Did NOT Kill 7 Children In Senegal
leadstories.com
Did a NY businessman pay almost $2m to rent a coronavirus hideout?
Confirmed TRUE
New York man fleeing pandemic pays almost $2m to rent Hamptons hideout
msn.com
Do UK’s new £20 notes have a secret message about 5G and coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Britain’s new £20 notes show 5G mast and coronavirus symbol
Reuters
Can face masks catch fire if microwaved?
Confirmed TRUE
True claim: Face masks catch fire if microwaved
Reuters
Is NC-VA state line closed due to COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact check: Viral Facebook post says NC closed its borders amid pandemic
WRAL
Is Nancy Pelosi’s daughter on the Kennedy Center board?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Nancy Pelosi’s daughter is on the Kennedy Center board
Reuters
Will steam from boiling orange concoction kill COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Steam From Boiling Orange Concoction Will NOT Kill COVID-19
leadstories.com
Are H-E-B stores banning shoppers under the age of 16?
Confirmed FALSE
Trust Index: Despite what you see on Facebook, H-E-B is not imposing age limits in its stores
KSAT 12
Has Walmart adopted ‘staggered shopping’ based on age?
Confirmed FALSE
Walmart Hasn’t Adopted ‘Staggered Shopping’ Based on Age
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Was this poem that went viral written in 1869?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Viral poem on social distancing was written in 1869
Reuters
This video shows Chinese people toppling 5G towers over COVID-19 fear?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Video shows Chinese people destroying a ‘5G pole’ for causing coronavirus symptoms
Reuters
Does 5G spread coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Coronavirus: Scientists brand 5G claims ‘complete rubbish’
BBC
Is NYBC collecting blood donations from recovered COVID-19 patients to help the sick?
Confirmed TRUE
New York Blood Center launches convalescent plasma donation program
NEWS10 ABC
Will hot drinks protect you from COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Coronavirus: Will hot drinks protect you from Covid-19?
BBC
Was a California paddleboarder arrested while surfing for violating the stay-at-home order?
Confirmed TRUE
Paddleboarder Arrested In Malibu For Refusing To Exit Water, Scientist Says Beaches Are Dangerous Right Now
cbslocal.com
Do photos show money thrown on streets in Italy amid the COVID-19 crisis?
Confirmed FALSE
These photos have circulated online since at least March 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic
afp.com
Does this video show corpses of COVID-19 victims on the floor of a NY hospital?
Confirmed FALSE
COVID-19 corpses video was shot in Ecuador, not New York
afp.com
Does lemon juice tea cure COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Lemon Juice Tea Does Not Cure COVID-19 in Israel, or Anywhere Else
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Has California banned alcohol sales due to COVID-19 outbreak?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: California bans alcohol sales amidst coronavirus lockdown
Reuters
Can an alkaline diet protect you from getting coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact Check: Alkaline Diet Does NOT Prevent You From Getting Coronavirus
leadstories.com
Was the 1918 influenza pandemic caused by vaccines?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: the 1918 influenza pandemic was caused by vaccines
Reuters
Did Saint Luke’s Hospital advise consuming alcohol to reduce COVID-19 risk?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Saint Luke’s Hospital notice advises consuming alcoholic beverages to reduce coronavirus risk
Reuters
Did CBS use footage from Italy in a NYC coronavirus report?
Confirmed TRUE
Fact Check: CBS DID Air Video From Italian Hospital During Coronavirus Outbreak, Claiming It Was Of Overwhelmed NYC Hospital
leadstories.com
Were checkpoints established at Florida-Georgia line in response to COVID-19?
Confirmed TRUE
True claim: Roadway checkpoints established at Florida-Georgia state line in response to coronavirus
Reuters
Has New York banned alcohol sales due to COVID-19 outbreak?
Confirmed FALSE
Don’t Be Fooled, Liquor Sales Are Not Being Stopped In NY
wyrk.com
Is Bill Gates planning to use microchip implants to fight coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Bill Gates planning to use microchip implants to fight coronavirus
Reuters
Do photos show Las Vegas homeless sleeping in ‘social distanced’ parking lot?
Confirmed TRUE
Las Vegas homeless placed in outdoor parking lot as ‘temporary shelter’
ABC News
Did Queen Elizabeth test positive for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Buckingham Palace did not say the Queen tested positive for coronavirus
afp.com
Has Illinois banned alcohol sales due to COVID-19 outbreak?
Confirmed FALSE
Fact-Check: Booze ban? No, Illinois hasn’t stopped liquor sales because of COVID-19
Chicago Sun-Times
Does Ibuprofen worsen COVID-19 symptoms?
Inconclusive
No Evidence to Back COVID-19 Ibuprofen Concerns
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Has Mississippi banned alcohol sales due to COVID-19 outbreak?
Confirmed FALSE
No, Gov. Tate Reeves is not banning the sale of alcohol
WLBT
Can inhaling steam kill coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Steam therapy kills coronavirus
Reuters
Did UNICEF recommend gargling with salt water to prevent coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: UNICEF recommends “sun exposure, gargling with salt water and stay away from ice cream” to prevent coronavirus
Reuters
Does this photo show people dying of coronavirus in the streets?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Picture shows people dying of coronavirus in the streets
Reuters
Does sunlight kill the coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Can you kill coronavirus with UV light?
BBC
Has coronavirus been found in crab legs?
Confirmed FALSE
Coronavirus Hasn’t Contaminated Crab Legs
Annenberg Political Fact Check
Do these photos show coffins of coronavirus victims in Italy?
Confirmed FALSE
These photos show the coffins of victims of a boat disaster in 2013
afp.com
Americans must fill out the census to get a stimulus check?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Americans must fill out the census to get a stimulus check during the coronavirus emergency
Reuters
Did armored military vehicles drive in NYC to enforce curfew?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Video shows armored military vehicles driving in New York City to enforce curfew due to coronavirus; those caught in the streets after curfew hours without “essential worker” letter will be arrested and fined $2000
Reuters
Film depicting pandemic outbreak scheduled for 2020?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Film depicting pandemic outbreak scheduled for 2020
Reuters
Did Canadian PM’s wife test positive for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Viral video misidentifies COVID-19 patient as Canadian PM’s wife
afp.com
An Arizona man died after taking chloroquine, fearing coronavirus?
Confirmed TRUE
Arizona man dies, wife ill after taking drug touted as virus treatment: “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure”
CBS News
Did Trump tweet he will not send checks to anyone who tweeted #NotMyPresident?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Trump tweeted he will not send $1,000 checks to anyone who tweeted #NotMyPresident in the last 4 years
Reuters
Does drinking water every 15 minutes kill coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
No, drinking water doesn’t kill coronavirus
BBC
This photo shows rail tanker stamped with “COVID-19”?
Confirmed FALSE
Photo of ‘COVID-19’ rail tanker is not genuine
afp.com
Does hot air from saunas or hair dryers kill coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Hot air from saunas, hair dryers won’t prevent or treat COVID-19
afp.com
Do younger adults account for nearly 40% of hospitalized coronavirus patients in the U.S.?
Confirmed TRUE
Nearly 40% of those hospitalized with coronavirus are younger than 54: CDC
ABC News
Did COVID-19 exist before 2019?
Confirmed FALSE
False posts claim COVID-19 existed before 2019, use animal vaccines as proof
afp.com
Can parents get free baby formula by calling the number on the product?
Confirmed FALSE
No, you can’t get free baby formula by calling a number on the can if stores are out
CNN
Does COVID-19 have a natural origin?
Confirmed TRUE
COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin
Science Daily
Does marijuana kill coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
False claim: Marijuana kills coronavirus
Reuters
Can silver solution cure COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Consuming silver particles will not prevent or treat novel coronavirus
afp.com
Do mosquitoes spread coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
No evidence mosquitoes can spread coronavirus
AP
Is holding your breath for 10 seconds a test for COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
Holding your breath is not an indicator of whether you have the new coronavirus, and drinking water doesn’t protect against it
fullfact.org
Was Tom Hanks gifted a volleyball during quarantine in Australia?
Confirmed FALSE
Tom Hanks is not really quarantined with Wilson, the ball from ‘Cast Away’
Mashable
Can you get a free coronavirus test by donating blood?
Confirmed FALSE
Donating blood in US does not get you a novel coronavirus test
afp.com
Can drinking bleach or snorting cocaine cure coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
Coronavirus cannot be cured by drinking bleach or snorting cocaine, despite social media rumors
CBS News
This video shows panicked shoppers storming a supermarket in Germany amidst COVID-19?
Confirmed FALSE
This video was filmed in 2011, nearly a decade before the novel coronavirus outbreak
afp.com
Did Russia release over 500 lions to enforce COVID-19 lockdown?
Confirmed FALSE
No, Russia didn’t release lions to enforce COVID-19 stay-at-home orders
PolitiFact
Can garlic protect you from coronavirus?
Confirmed FALSE
No, garlic won’t protect you from coronavirus: WHO pushes back on rampant misinformation
CNBC
