Disinfo: Sweden declines treatment for coronavirus because virus is safe

Summary

Sweden is one of the few countries that has not closed its borders; all educational institutions, cafes, restaurants, and gyms continue to work here. Swedish scientists say coronavirus is safe. There is a known case of a doctor who is infected with the virus, but continues to operate at his workplace in the hospital.

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

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 189
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17/03/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Sweden
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: The COVID-19 outbreak is a pretext by the ruling class to introduce tyranny

There is no certainty that this new coronavirus called COVID-19 is any more dangerous than any other virus in the past, but the ruling class and their minions in the mainstream media and beyond, are screaming at the top of their lungs that this is the scourge of mankind, and that tens of millions of Americans will become infected, and that millions might die. This is being promulgated by government at every level, by so-called national and world health organizations, and by a complicit media that seemingly does as it is told by those holding political power. This is being done regardless of the fact that no one knows much about this so-called virus, knows little or nothing about its true origin, and knows little about its mutations. Also, politicians, claimed authorities, and alleged experts are in the dark as to how particular cultures have been more susceptible than others, and are unwilling to discuss that the probable cause of this is due to a man-made strain created in a bio-weapons lab, even though a preponderance of evidence points in that direction. All possibilities should be discussed. […] Has all this panic been planned? The impending economic collapse caused by the Federal Reserve and its massive money printing is most likely going to be falsely blamed on the coronavirus, so what is the connection? Was this virus created for the purpose of covering up responsibility for an economic meltdown? Was it created to harm the economy of China and Iran? If not, is it being purposely used for these purposes? Is population control due to all these factors mentioned sought by the ruling class, and is this virus the impetus for gaining that control?

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.

Disinfo: The reason behind the coronavirus scaremongering is to weaken China as a state

There is another significant reason behind the campaigns of virus scaremongering. A critical one is to try to weaken China as a state, by impacting negatively upon Beijing’s ability to spread its financial clout and influence across continents. As a result of the coronavirus frenzy, the Chinese government is losing leverage in dealings with the US and other developed countries while the US economy and markets could actually benefit from the coronavirus.

Disproof

An unfounded conspiracy theory. There is no evidence provided to support such claims. See related disinformation cases downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic: mainstream media and governments overestimate the coronavirus threat; the coronavirus outbreak is a lie.

Disinfo: COVID-19 is a biological weapon to make the planet's population infertile

Coronavirus, COVID-19, is designed as a biological weapon. This is not just some kind of infection where you are cured and everything is fine. According to the results of analyses from China, at least 90% of men who have recovered, who had a mild form of the disease, became infertile. Essentially, this is sterilisation. If it doesn’t work out with LGBT, if it doesn’t work out with all kinds of child-free [ideologies], the planet will be sterilised with a virus.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory with no evidence given. One of many recurring Kremlin disinformation narratives claiming that the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus is man-made. COVID-19 is not a biological weapon. It 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 across the world, with cases being reported in 150 countries, territories and areas by 16th of March 2020. While many baseless conspiracy theories have emerged all around the world amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, there is no evidence confirming the claim that COVID-19 affects fertility in people. An article recently published on the Hubei government's website and deleted a few hours later suggests that there is a "theoretical" risk to men's reproductive health. Dire consequences are rare unless people have chronic cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses. Many other claims have been pushed by pro-Kremlin media since the outbreak started in January, for example, that governments overestimate the threat, that it was born in a laboratory to infect Chinese, that it is an element of hybrid warfare and that the remedy has been developed in Ukraine.