The Coronavirus Collection: Memes and Misinformation

12 Articles

Snopes investigates the memes, rumors, jokes, and misinformation spreading on social media in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

  • Published 6 March 2020
Image via Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images

No matter what the news event is, we’ll always see memes. COVID-19 is no exception. In this collection, Snopes investigates the memes, rumors, jokes, and misinformation spreading on social media in the wake of the 2020 coronavirus outbreak.

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.

Did an Infectious Disease Specialist Write ‘I Am Not Scared of COVID-19’? Readers inquired about a viral Facebook post amid an outbreak of the new coronavirus in...
  • Fact Check
    • Correct Attribution
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‘Uncle With Masters Degree’ Gets Facts Wrong in Coronavirus ‘Announcement’ A viral Facebook post amplified dubious and potentially dangerous claims amid an outbreak of the...
  • News
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zinc lozenge
Did a Noted Pathologist Write This Viral Coronavirus Advice Letter? Amid an outbreak of coronavirus in 2020, an email from pathologist James Robb was heavily...
  • Fact Check
    • Correct Attribution
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Did a Doctor in Italy Warn Coronavirus Wasn’t Just a ‘Bad Flu’? Physician: "The situation is now nothing short of dramatic. No other words come to mind."
  • Fact Check
    • Correct Attribution
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coronavirus graph
Is Coronavirus Spreading Faster Than SARS, Ebola, and Swine Flu? A video clip supposedly showing the exponential spread of a new coronavirus misled some viewers.
  • Fact Check
    • Mixture
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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...
  • Fact Check
    • False
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mike pence conversion therapy
Did VP Mike Pence Introduce ‘Conversion Therapy’ Program to Combat Coronavirus? A routine review of content labeled satire.
  • Fact Check
    • Labeled Satire
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pope coronavirus
Did the Vatican Confirm Pope Francis Had Coronavirus? An unreliable website furthered rumors about the pontiff's health in early 2020.
  • Fact Check
    • False
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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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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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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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red cross home testing
No, Red Cross Is Not Offering Coronavirus Home Tests Scams involving the disaster relief organization are unfortunately not new.
  • Fact Check
    • Scam
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