During a White House briefing on April 23, 2020, President Donald Trump suggested exploring disinfectant injections to combat COVID-19 in the lungs. This remark triggered a sharp rise in inquiries to poison control centers nationwide.
After downplaying COVID-19 early in the pandemic, Trump made headlines again. He stated during the briefing at the White House:
"I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that."
Experts, scientists, and politicians were stunned by the suggestion. Social media erupted with outrage and memes. Trump later claimed sarcasm, but reports indicated he had indeed instructed government experts to investigate.
As reported by Newsweek, Maryland's emergency line and New York's Poison Control Center experienced a massive influx of calls following the briefing. Concerned citizens sought advice on injecting or ingesting disinfectants like bleach.
Maryland's emergency line issued a clarifying tweet, emphasizing that disinfectants must never be injected or ingested. No such products should enter the body in any form. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of popular household disinfectants, also released a statement urging against ingestion or injection.
Thankfully, no deaths were linked to these incidents. In a crisis, leaders hold immense responsibility in their public statements, as fearful individuals may act on misinformation about COVID-19.
For context, about a month earlier, around 300 people in Iran died after consuming high-proof methanol, misled by social media claims it could kill the coronavirus.
