COVID-19 misinformation has exacted a heavy toll. In Iran, more than 300 people died after ingesting methanol, wrongly promoted online as a coronavirus cure.
A March 27, 2020, article in The Globe and Mail reported over 300 recent deaths in Iran due to misinformation. A tabloid story, amplified on social media, claimed a British teacher cured COVID-19 with whiskey and honey. This was falsely linked to hydroalcoholic gels, leading some Iranians to believe high-proof methanol alcohol could kill the virus internally. Methanol is highly toxic—even small amounts, mere milliliters, can cause blindness, as seen in a child in Iran.
Amid 41,495 confirmed cases and 2,757 deaths, panic was rife, but misinformation proved lethal for the vulnerable.
In mid-February 2020, an Indian father took his own life after watching videos with false information. Despite no symptoms, anxiety over infecting his family overwhelmed him.
Fake news fuels coronavirus hysteria, with claims of lab origins, hacker scams, and bogus treatments. A recent example from China: Tan Re Qing injections containing bear bile, promoted via Xinhua News Agency by the National Health Commission—highlighting the need for verified sources.
