The Coronavirus Collection: Business and Industry

17 Articles

Snopes looks at rumors and misinformation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, and how companies responded to the coronavirus crisis.

  • Published 24 March 2020
Image via Getty Images/Stock photo

Are the rumors about companies, large and small, stepping up to help ordinary citizens weather the coronavirus pandemic true? Are those “free pandemic coupons” you saw online real? Snopes investigates COVID-19 claims pertaining to the business sector.

Check out the other categories to read the rest of our COVID-19 fact checks.

What questions do you have? Help Snopes investigate rumors around the novel coronavirus by sending us your tips.

List of Grocery Stores with Special Hours for Seniors, the At-Risk, and Pregnant Women We've compiled a list of major grocery chains offering dedicated hours set aside for members...
  • News
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mcdonalds free kids meals
Is McDonald’s Giving Free Lunches to School Kids During Pandemic? A few McDonald's locations in the U.S. made a major announcement about kids' meals.
  • Fact Check
    • Mixture
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Is Starbucks Offering $100 Coupons During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Coupon scams are not uncommon — with or without a global pandemic.
  • Fact Check
    • Scam
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hobby lobby
Is Hobby Lobby Refusing To Close Stores Because of a Message from God? Hobby Lobby reportedly sent a letter to employees explaining its stores were staying open during...
  • Fact Check
    • Mixture
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Can You Get Free Baby Formula During COVID-19 Crisis by Calling the Company? You can't conjure up a giveaway out of thin air.
  • Fact Check
    • False
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Did Costco Issue a Recall Notice for Toilet Paper? Even if COVID-19 hasn't infected the entire population, a mania for buying bathroom tissue apparently...
  • Fact Check
    • False
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Is Amazon Suspending All Deliveries Except Medical Supplies? An unclear headline and a paywalled article led to some confusion about Amazon's announcement.
  • Fact Check
    • Mostly False
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amazon donations sick leave
Did Amazon Solicit Donations to Help Pay Worker Sick Leave? After being called out for its approach to supporting seasonal and contract workers during times...
  • Fact Check
    • True
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Did Corona Beer Sales Drop Sharply Due to Fear About the Coronavirus? A trope that suggests people are so dumb they think the beer and virus are...
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    • False
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Are These Vegan Foods Left Unsold During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Even looming food shortages are apparently not enough to prompt some consumers to try soy-...
  • Fact Check
    • Miscaptioned
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Does Trump Own Stock in a Company CDC Uses for COVID-19 Tests? The U.S. president’s finances are complex, but does Donald Trump actually benefit from the CDC’s...
  • Fact Check
    • False
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Does Jared Kushner’s Brother Own a Company Involved in COVID-19 Testing? Oscar, a digital health-insurance startup that recently set up a service for users to find...
  • Fact Check
    • Mixture
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Did Walmart Introduce a Staggered Shopping Schedule? No, but Walmart and other stores have set aside dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens.
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    • False
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hallmark cards
Are Hallmark Cards Made In China? An old rumor resurfaced amid a rise in Sinophobia during the COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic.
  • Fact Check
    • Mostly False
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costco facebook response
Did Costco Post This Sarcastic Reply to a Customer on Facebook? Costco's requiring customers to wear face masks in its stores during the coronavirus pandemic has...
  • Fact Check
    • False
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Did Elon Musk Tweet a Dessert Picture from a Restaurant Amid COVID-19 Restrictions? He posted the photo of an ice cream sundae from Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant...
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    • Mixture
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Is Kroger Requiring Employees to Repay Coronavirus Emergency Pay? An image showing a letter purportedly sent from the grocery chain to employees sparked outrage...
  • Fact Check
    • Mixture
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