In a year defined by COVID-19, disinformation regarding the deadly pandemic has spread everywhere. Polygraph.info examined some of the major disinformation themes to have emerged from various corners of the world, and where those false narratives overlap.
China became the focus of attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the first cases were detected in the city of Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province. Controversy surrounded the Chinese government’s lack of transparency about the disease. Cases emerged of the government attempting to suppress doctors’ warnings about a new disease rapidly killing patients. Later, Chinese state media attempted to blame the U.S. for the outbreak, spinning multiple unsubstantiated claims about the virus allegedly being engineered in a U.S. military lab.
Russia has been a leading contributor to the spread of COVID-19 disinformation. However, the state officials and the government-controlled media responded with false denials, describing the accusations as “groundless" and “Russophobic.” Below are examples of the Russian COVID-19 fakes and disinformation that targeted both domestic and global audiences.
Iran was initially one of the hardest hit countries by the coronavirus. In addition to repeating international conspiracy theories about the virus being a U.S. plot, Iran was the source of several pseudoscientific or supernatural claims which may have contributed to the virus’ impact there.
Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been one on the forefront of the coronavirus-denial movement. He has consistently downplayed the virus' severity (initially describing it as a "small flu," calling the alarm over the pandemic "hysterical" and even attending anti-lockdown protests). He also heavily promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine – the anti-malaria drug that hasn’t been proved effective against coronavirus – and took the drug when he contracted the coronavirus in July. Just a few months into the pandemic, he fired two health ministers who disagreed with him and settled for one that was a former general. Bolsonaro's rhetoric and actions were boasted by his sons and allies in the Federal Government. Brazil currently has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases and second highest number of deaths.
In Mexico, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador downplayed the severity of the coronavirus threat. On February 28, when the country had its first confirmed case, the president said the virus was “not even as bad as the flu.” He has also been criticized for persistently failing to wear masks when out in public. State officials suggested mass testing for the virus wasn't essential, including Hugo Lopez-Gatell, a top doctor at the Mexican health ministry. Reports from those working on the front lines describe a broken health care system and lack of equipment, resulting in an inability to properly care for the sick.
The coronavirus pandemic hit Venezuela amid an economic, political, health and humanitarian crisis. Hyperinflation, poverty and a crippling healthcare system meant Venezuelans couldn't access the care needed if they were sick or trying to isolate. Nicolas Maduro, however, has persistently ignored the crisis and downplayed the effects of COVID-19 in Venezuela, instead saying his government's actions have been successful in the fight against the virus.
Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, has insisted in using a "miracle" tonic, Covid-Organics, in the fight against coronavirus in the remote African nation. The drink has been offered to the population, including children in school. But Rajoelina's claims about the tonic have not been scientifically backed, and its distribution hasn't stopped the spread of the virus.