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Disinfo: Russia invented a cure for coronavirus

Summary

Russia introduced a drug for the treatment of a new type of coronavirus. The drug is based on the antimalarial drug mefloquine and is also developing an effective and safe system of prevention against coronavirus.

Disproof

This is part of the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign around the coronavirus. According to WHO, to date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The anti-malarial drug mefloquine has been considered as a drug against a new type of coronavirus in several countries. The tests were carried out, for example, by China or France. However, its efficacy has not been verified and extensive clinical trials would have to be carried out for general use. A French medicine watchdog ANSM even has warned of the dangerous side effects of malaria drugs being used against the novel coronavirus due to some crucial side effects that appeared at several patients who used them for self-medication.

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Sputnik Czech (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 191
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/03/2020
  • Language/target audience: Czech
  • Country: Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus
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The coronavirus is surprisingly selective

The virus passes over states not involved in major issues of world politics, and is spreading on territories where the global stakeholders’ interests collide. Of course, other countries are affected, but the virus does not present any danger for them. The virus has selected China, Iran, Italy and Spain as targets. Stuck between Spain and Italy is France. Their neighbours are affected less, if affected at all. In Mongolia on 23 March there was only one case, though the country is populated by as many Chinese as Mongolians and the borders between China and Mongolia have remained open.

Mar 27, 2020
Disproof

An baseless conspiracy theory with no evidence given. For accurate and up-to-date data on the spread of COVID-19, see the sites of the European Centre for Disease Control or the World Health Organisation. See related disinformation cases downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic, like that the mainstream media and governments overestimate the coronavirus threat and that the coronavirus outbreak is a lie.

The threat of coronavirus brought globalisation to its knees

The old world is already being buried by the coronavirus. The old world died because the relatively small threat of coronavirus brought globalisation to its knees. It has also dispelled all mantras about a “common destiny.” Instead of jointly fighting the problem and finding methods to minimise the consequences for the human health and the economy, almost all countries chose to take the position of “we don’t know anything”. They shut down, even from their neighbors, with whom they are in allied relations within the framework of integration blocs.

Mar 27, 2020
Disproof

One of the new pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives claiming that the coronavirus pandemic will soon lead to the breakdown of globalisation and the collapse of the global economic system. The narrative of “imminent collapse” is one of the core instruments of pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets, used to spread demoralisation and self-doubt among target audiences, as well as to sow discord, panic and diminish trust in national authorities, the EU and international institutions. The COVID-19 outbreak is a serious challenge to all countries, but there is no foundation for the claim that old world is died and it will lead to a new world order. Its spread will slow the global economy which is heavily dependent on international production and global supply chains. While the pandemic is a challenge for globalisation, it will not bring the end to this long-term process. Globalisation has brought significant benefits for billions of people, and most of the world will not be eager to do away with these benefits and with the free movement of people, goods and capital. Another recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation tactic is to pit EU member states against each other in an attempt to undermine European solidarity. There is no evidence to support the claim that the pandemic is resulting in the death of the EU. The European Commission is coordinating a common European response to the COVID-19 crisis and is supporting Member States in tackling the pandemic and in mitigating its economic consequences. Read here previous cases on this topic.

Coronavirus: Western media in cahoots with Big Pharma ignore successful treatment with vitamin C in China

The Western media ignores the fact that the usage of high dosage of vitamin C saved lives in China. The mainstream media in cahoots with governments and the medical establishment are suppressing any news regarding the use of a cheap, safe and easy to produce treatment for coronavirus patients. Maybe its because this treatment is being used in Chinese hospitals to save lives. [—] As the global death toll soars higher we can only hope that more and more doctors will follow in the footsteps of their Chinese colleagues and have the courage to use a safe and cheap treatment that is totally at odds with the big pharma approach currently followed by the World Health Organisation and most governments. The current approach used by many Western Governments has been slow, clumsy and ill informed putting the interests of big business above saving the lives of ordinary people.

Mar 27, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theory. International media have reported extensively on the attempts to treat COVID-19 with high doses of vitamin C. US Newsweek, French Le Monde, German Süddeutsche Zeitung and Belgian Le Soir to mention a few. The reporting also shows that vitamin C by no means can be seen as a "miracle cure" at any stage of the disease. Researchers continue to follow various approaches for treatment of COVID-19, including treatment with vitamin C. See related examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation about the coronavirus, alleging that Big Pharma benefits from coronavirus panic; and that it spreads rumors about the coronavirus to further the business interests.