Disinfo: Baba Vanga predicted a Russian cure against coronavirus

Summary

Activists have found a prophesy of the [Bulgarian sooth-sayer] Vanga, where she talks about an illness, coming from China. Now they have found also a prediction about a medicine against this ailment. According to Vanga, it will be made out of Siberian cedar tree. The activists that have disclosed this prophesy are convinced that Vanga referred to COVID-19 and that Russian scientists will create a cure against it.

Disproof

This is part of pro-Kremlin media, spreading systematic disinformation and confusion about the coronavirus. See a similar case about a "prediction" made by Nostradamus here. Global epidemics have spread occasionally in all of human history, with or without the "predictions" of soothsayers. The spread of suggestions of "miracle cures" might affect the trust in the health care system; people affected by the virus might be referred to medical professionals too late, with potentially tragical outcome.

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riafan.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 190
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25/03/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Bulgaria, Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus
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Disinfo: Swedish oligarchs impede the introduction of quarantine measures

Swedish oligarchs, in cahoots with the authorities, refused to introduce quarantine measures to avoid financial losses. [—] Sweden is not testing people with coronavirus symptoms. Thus, the real number of cases is impossible to establish.

Mar 24, 2020
Disproof

An unfounded coronavirus conspiracy theory. As of 23 March 2020, there were 1906 cases of confirmed coronavirus infections in Sweden, and 21 people there have died. The Swedish Public Health Authority's highest priority is to protect the public. It has declared that an ‘extraordinary situation’ exists in Sweden. New protective measures are designed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, protect people at especially high risk, and assure the provision of care and therapeutic products to the public. In Sweden, as in most EU countries, there are strict regulations for educational institutions, mass events were cancelled. The population is strongly advised to stay in quarantine and observe good hygiene practices. Sweden has temporarily banned travel to the EU via Sweden. The current entry ban does not affect travel from another EU country to Sweden, nor does it apply to Swedish citizens. See details here. A site with FAQ on Sweden's response to the COVID-19 outbreak from the Swedish Public Health Authority

Disinfo: Neither doctors, nor food supplies in Lithuania

The coronavirus epidemic in Lithuania demonstrates with all clarity the results of the democratic reforms on the road to the “Bright European Future”. [—]

There are only five medical facilities in the country; in the largest cities: in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys and Vilnius. In rural areas nothing is left, except for something like first aid stations. If there are only a few hospitals, there are few doctors. This has become on of the largest challenges. Students from the last years of medical schools are summoned to fight the outbreak, but the shortage of specialist is disastrous. The second problem, connected to the results of the “democratic reforms” is that the country does not have any strategic resources of food supplies.

Mar 24, 2020
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Lithuania as a failed state. The 5 hospitals mentioned in the disinformation claim are not the only hospitals in the country. Rather these are the largest hospitals that are designated to test and treat the COVID-19 patients. Lithuania has also established mobile points for testing patients for suspected cases of the coronavirus. Lithuanian society has mobilized to fight the pandemic, student and other volunteers are assisting the state and medics to disseminate public information, procure medical equipment, reach out to the most vulnerable parts of the society and other activities. Lithuania does have strategic resources of food supplies, which are stocked in accordance to national law.

Disinfo: The coronavirus pandemic is the ruling elites' alternative to a world war

There was a need for a replacement of a World War, something that would level out the disbalances of the capitalist economy, revive it and still maintain the status-quo of the ruling elites. The alternative to a shooting war would be a cold war, or, as it is preferred to be called today, a hybrid war. A hybrid war engages elements of finance, trade, psychology, information technology, cyber attacks, special forces against the enemy, but it does not give the rulers the authority to use command methods on the economy. And this is necessary for overcoming the dis-balances of the economy. And here comes the coronavirus. The rulers started to blow up a threat, create an atmosphere of fear. Using the panic, the authorities are given unlimited powers and start actively to interfere in the economy.

Mar 24, 2020
Disproof

An unfounded conspiracy theory, sharing a recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about "secret elites" controlling world leaders. See related pro-Kremlin disinformation cases about the coronavirus.