Before the start of mass vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines that had completed the full cycle of clinical trials and were approved by the World Health Organization, people sought various “miraculous” plants. Throughout this year, substances mistakenly attributed with such properties included lemon juice, alkaline foods, cucumbers, seaweed, cabbage, garlic water, saltwater, baking soda, and ginger.
In the fall of 2020, medicinal properties against the coronavirus began to be ascribed to black chokeberry juice, green tea, and pomegranate juice.It seems like you might want to provide more text for translation. Please share the text you’d like me to translate, and I’ll be happy to help!”Was”“conducted”“Verification of information for accuracy revealed that:”
Published“Scientific article”The researchers from the University of Ulm Medical Center did not undergo independent expert evaluation. The scientists’ conclusions are based on experiments conducted in vitro, and therefore cannot be used for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus in humans. It remains unclear how the antiviral substances contained in the drinks can enter the cells that are attacked by COVID-19 in the human body. Meanwhile, excessive consumption of juices may lead to undesirable health consequences.
Using the social media monitoring platform YouScan, let’s examine how and by whom information about these juices was disseminated among Belarusian internet users:
Let’s analyze the publications by dates, sources of information, and the links provided in them:November 8, 2020 Plant-based products can help prevent coronavirus infection.The source of information is not specified.November 10, 2020A post on the social network VK.com with a link to the Russian medical information portal – Medside.ru.
November 11, 2020“Хартия97” publishes information.Named are the plant-based products that help combat coronavirus.with reference to the Ukrainian medical website Orthodox.od.ua“publication”“, in which there are no longer any sources.”November 13, 2020“Again”The word “пост” can be translated to “post” in English, but its meaning can vary depending on the context. If you provide more context or a complete sentence, I can give you a more accurate translation.On Vk.com, there is already a link to Yandex.News, which refers to“publication”in Rosbalt.November 16, 202089 mentions! Distribution by sources:
But the analysis showed that the topic starter was a news article from RIA Novosti.Scientists have revealed a “powerful coronavirus” natural product., published on November 15 at 11:15 PM.
How the publications were distributed throughout the day:
Where did Belarusian internet users read the information:
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- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external websites. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you’d like translated, I’d be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external websites. However, if you provide me with the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external websites. However, if you provide the text you’d like translated, I’d be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
- I’m sorry, but I can’t access external websites. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to help!
Next began the “long tail” of the news: reactions on social media and rare reposts. The story started to fade away after two weeks.November 30, 2020“Arguments and Facts in Belarus”The action of juice. Which products are the enemies of the coronavirus, and which are its friends?It was.“Reprinted”in the Niasvizh news.December 9, 2020“Zvyazda” publishesKislinka against COVID-19. A natural product has been discovered that kills the coronavirus.Without mentioning the sources of information, except for the results of research by German scientists.
As can be seen from the analyzed sources, unverified information is disseminated by various Belarusian media (both state and non-state) primarily from Russian information sources.
Publishers are advised to seek and verify original sources when reposting various types of sensitive information, especially concerning medicine and public health. Readers are encouraged to develop critical thinking and to remember the importance of information hygiene.
Author: Mikhail Doroshevich
Publication prepared by the Baltic Internet Policy Initiative
