We Don’t Know if “Misinformation” Killed 800 People
The Claim
At least 800 people have died because of coronavirus misinformation so far this year.
News posted on
Emerging story
Several news outlets reported on the dangers of misinformation, reports claimed at least 800 people have died of COVID-19 misinformation.
News outlets described the findings of a research paper published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH). Based on the paper, they say that at least 800 people might have died around the world as a result of coronavirus misinformation. A BBC News report added that “about 5,800 people were admitted to hospital as a result of false information on social media. Many died from drinking methanol or alcohol-based cleaning products. They wrongly believed the products to be a cure for the virus.” Other reports contained similar claims.
Misbar’s Analysis
We found some information in the reports misleading. Our investigation finds that the paper itself did not attempt to measure the total number of deaths around the world caused by misinformation about Covid-19. Instead, the researchers took the information itself almost entirely from other reports of alcohol poisonings in Iran.
BBC News reported earlier this month that some Iranian health ministry statistics were not reliable. Even if we take the numbers at face value, however, it isn’t clear whether misinformation played a part in these deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that alcohol does not treat or prevent Covid-19, and mentions “a dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the COVID-19 virus”. There have also been reports that this myth played a part in many of the deaths in Iran. The AJTMH research paper mentions similar reports that this myth and others caused 44 deaths in Turkey, India and Qatar.
Misbar certainly agrees that bad information can be very dangerous. However, this report only provides weak evidence that these 800 deaths were the result of coronavirus misinformation. The research, however, offers little evidence we can rely on.
