Disinfo: Coronavirus epidemic turned into an information warfare tool

Summary

Using the coronavirus epidemic as an information weapon is not only an element of the external, but also of the internal political struggle of Western partners. This problem is directly related to Russia, as Russia is part of the global economy. American and European politicians are now mainly engaged in rescuing stock markets and finding the culprits, rather than fighting the infection.

Disproof

Fear over the coronavirus has indeed affected China's stock markets, but suggesting that the virus has been weaponised by Western states or governments is part of the recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on secret labs and biological weapons. It is also consistent with the narrative that the spread of coronavirus is in the interest of the US to weaken China and Russia economically. Stock markets globally have been impacted by the virus, not just in China. There is no evidence to suggest that the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV is used as a weapon against other states. Many countries have so far been affected by the new virus. The World Health Organisation is working with global experts to combat the virus. To boost global preparedness, prevention and containment of the virus the EU announced an aid package worth €232 million. US companies are working on a vaccine and an experimental coronavirus vaccine has already been shipped to US government researchers for testing. Read previous disinformation narratives alleging that the Emergence of coronavirus is not accidental and has economic goals, Coronavirus is a US provocation against China, The coronavirus is a biological weapon created by the UK, and A new Chinese coronavirus was likely elaborated in NATO's biolabs.

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sputnik-ossetia.ru
  • Reported in: Issue 187
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: Coronavirus is a new biological weapon against the Chinese

As all the world knows, the United States has inherited all methods of fascist technology for dealing with “human material” from Nazi Germany: torture, biological, climatic, and psychological weapons. And it has long been recognised by the international community that diseases such as HIV/AIDS are born in laboratories. Coronavirus is a new genetic, biological weapon. It is considered to be a weapon only against the Chinese, as China is the main economic competitor of the United States today.

Feb 28, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theory about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, based on recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the biological weapons and the Lugar Lab in Georgia. It also uses allegations of Nazism, which is a common trope in pro-Kremlin disinformation. The coronavirus (2019-nCoV) comes from a family of viruses originating in animals that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading with new cases being reported in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East. Coronavirus is confirmed in 110 countries, including the US. It is also a conspiracy theory that HIV was created in a laboratory - this story is in line with one of the most famous cases of anti-American disinformation planted by the Soviet Union, Operation Infektion, which alleged that HIV was created and weaponised by the CIA. Read about the origins of HIV here. There are numerous similar cases about the coronavirus pushed by pro-Kremlin media, for example that it is an artificial disease which specifically targets Chinese DNA, that it was created with economic goals while big pharma companies are spreading panic for their own profit, that it is a biological weapon against Russia and China, that the virus is a Western tool to attack the Chinese economy, and that it is a US provocation against China.

Disinfo: Jackie Chan gets coronavirus

The famous actor and film director Jackie Chan was quarantined with suspected coronavirus. The artist became infected with a coronavirus at a private party.

Feb 28, 2020
Disproof

The spread of coronavirus in the world is accompanied by a huge amount of fake news. Read similar cases that China coronavirus was predicted by Nostradamus and that Russia has found a way to treat coronavirus. Jackie Chan is denying reports that he has been placed under quarantine over coronavirus concerns. “Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for everybody’s concern” Chan stated on his own website and social media accounts. “I’m very healthy and safe, and haven’t been quarantined. I’ve received many messages from friends asking if I’m ok. Your love and concern is so heartwarming.”

Disinfo: Coronavirus is found in countries which want to cooperate with Russia

All the “fairy tales” that the Chinese are eating “everything that moves”, and that is why it all started in China now seems to be a lie. Let’s pay attention. France has suddenly begun talking about the need to liquidate NATO, and suggests forming a defence alliance with Russia. A couple of weeks later, the coronavirus was discovered in France. Italy has officially called on the EU to drop sanctions against Russia. And again, after a couple of weeks, they discover this virus also in Italy.

Feb 28, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theories about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. The coronavirus (2019-nCoV) comes from a family of viruses that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading with new cases being reported in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East, causing more than 3584 deaths by 08 March 2020. As of 8th March 2020, coronavirus was confirmed in over 100 countries in all continents (except Antarctica). Read similar cases claiming that Coronavirus an Anglo-Saxon biological warning: originates in US labs; targets opponents of the US, Coronavirus was created on purpose, probably by the same British lab which poisoned the Skripals.