False: Video About Miracle Cure for COVID-19
The Claim
Dr.Stella Immanuel stated that hydroxychloroquine is a cure for COVID-19.
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Emerging story
A claim that a combination of medicines including hydroxychloroquine will cure COVID-19 is doing rounds on social media. The viral claim has been retweeted and shared by Donald Trump, Madonna, and Kirstie Alley.
Houston doctor Stella Immanuel praised hydroxychloroquine as a miracle coronavirus cure in a viral video. The viral speech has drawn attention to a little-known group calling themselves “America’s Frontline Doctors” who appear to exist to promote the common antimalarial drug in the fight against COVID-19. During the press conference, she said she had treated more than 350 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Immanuel claimed that the virus has a cure which is a mix of hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax.
Misbar’s Analysis
Our investigation found that the viral claim is false. On April 27, 2020, the World Health Organization stated that there is no proof that hydroxychloroquine or any other drug can cure or prevent COVID-19.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19 for the authorized uses in the emergency use authorization (EUA).
Misbar didn’t find any medical study that backs up the claims of a cure. As of July 28, more than 655,000 have died worldwide from COVID-19.
After Facebook and Twitter removed the controversial video touting hydroxychloroquine as a “cure” for COVID-19, Immanuel declared on Twitter that Jesus Christ would destroy Facebook’s servers if her videos weren’t restored to the platform.
Twitter stated that the “tweets with the video are in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy,” and Facebook said it includes "false information about cures and treatments for COVID-19."
Madonna's Instagram account was flagged for spreading misinformation. Instagram blurred out the video with a caption saying "False Information." It also directed users to a page debunking the claims in the video, noting there is no coronavirus vaccine. The video was later deleted from Madonna's Instagram page.
Immanuel has a history of making bizarre claims about medical topics and other issues. She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are in fact caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.
