Last updated: June 10, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, see our Government Resources page
Learn about the most common COVID-19 myths, and where to find the most up-to-date and credible information to fact-check in your language.
If you ever see COVID-19 information you’re unsure of, see our step-by-step guide on how to distinguish credible health information from fake news, or visit a fact-checking site below.
Are there websites in my language that separate facts from myths?
The C19 Response Coalition team is constantly working to find the latest correct resources offered in your language. For accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19 news, see our Government Resources and Updates page which includes links for various languages.
Below are some credible websites from organizations that fact-check myths to determine what is true or false. These organizations examine claims from TV, newspapers, the internet, and social media and compare them with research from the government, the evidence-based work of university researchers, and data from other credible sources to provide clarity, accuracy, and context in a widespread moment of misinformation and disinformation.
If you come across COVID-19 information that looks suspicious, you can search for it on the fact-checking sites below.
English
- Snopes: The Coronavirus Collection: Fact-Checking COVID-19
- AFP: Debunks of novel coronavirus prevention, cures, treatments
- Google Fact Check Tools
Chinese (Traditional and Simplified)
Popular COVID-19 Myths
Health Myths
Currently, the Public Health Agency of Canada has “not approved any product to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.” For up-to-date COVID-19 health information, see our Government Resources and News page and Health Resources page to learn how to prevent and manage COVID-19.
Drinking or eating garlic water
What is the myth? Boiled garlic water, when consumed, will help cure COVID-19 or make you resistant to COVID-19.
Why is this myth untrue?
The World Health Organization has researched this myth and concludes that:
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
-From the World Health Organization (Retrieved on June 2, 2020).
Where can I read more?
Read Snopes’ in-depth article which shows us why this myth is incorrect.
Drinking vinegar/salt water
What is the myth? Vinegar/salt water water, when consumed, will help cure COVID-19 or make you resistant to COVID-19.
Why is this myth untrue? For common symptoms of colds and flus, gargling a combination of warm water, vinegar, and salt will be helpful. However, there is no evidence that it can help ward off or drive out the symptoms and infections of COVID-19.
Where can I read more? Read Snopes’ in depth article which shows us why this myth is incorrect.
Honey and lemon water
What is the myth? Drinking hot honey and lemon water, when consumed, will help cure COVID-19 or make you resistant to COVID-19.
Why is this myth untrue? While lemon and hot water might be tasty or comforting for common colds and flus, using it as a way to get Vitamin C to kill or ward off COVID-19 is ineffective. Vitamin C is unable to cure viral infections.
Where can I read more? Read Snopes’ in depth article which shows us why this myth is incorrect.
Financial myths and scams
To learn about scams to watch out for and where to find credible, accurate information, see our Financial Scam and Fraud Resources page here.
What are scams?
Scams are misleading campaigns that are intentionally, maliciously made to look and sound like public service announcements, advertisements, or official entities. Scams try to convince you to give them your personal information for their gain. An increasing number of scams during the COVID-19 pandemic aim to profit from community members’ uncertainties and fears about the global health crisis.
For a listing of common COVID-19 scams and how to protect yourself, click here.
More information
Learn more
- If you see any COVID-19 information you’re unsure of, and can’t find any information on trust fact-checking sites, follow our step-by-step guide on how to determine What’s Real and What’s Fake.
- For up-to-date and credible information about COVID-19 news, statistics, health, and financial resources, see our Government Resources and Updates page.
- Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford have written an article about the Types, Sources, and Claims of COVID-19 Misinformation.
- UNESCO: Combating the disinfodemic: Working for truth in the time of COVID-19 is a guide to the types of COVID-19 disinformation and how organizations are responding.
References
Pages are in order of appearance.
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- Snopes Will Garlic Water Cure Coronavirus?. Published March 10, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- Will Gargling with Salt Water or Vinegar ‘Eliminate’ the COVID-19 Coronavirus?. Published March 14, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- Will Lemons and Hot Water Cure or Prevent COVID-19?. Published March 26, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.