In the last few years, there have been a number of cases in which people have overdosed on ivermectin. The drug is used to treat parasites that cause disease in livestock and humans.
The world of journalism is complicated, and fake news and pictures are often disseminated on social media. Every week, the editorial staff at Blasting News identifies the most common hoaxes and incorrect information to help you distinguish truth from fiction. Here are some of the most widely circulated bogus statements this week, none of which are true.
World
The fire in the Pfizer facility in Madrid is not seen in the video.
False claim: A video of a fire was posted on Facebook and Twitter, along with the claim that the flames had engulfed a Pfizer facility in Madrid.
Truth:
- Andrew Widger, a spokesperson for Pfizer, told Politifact that the video depicts a fire at a composting business near Pfizer’s plant in San Sebastián de los Reyes, which is part of the Madrid metropolitan region.
- Pfizer has a factory in the Spanish town, not a laboratory, contrary to what the postings say.
- Lightning sparked a fire at a composting plant in San Sebastian de los Reyes, according to a story published on the Spanish website El Confidencial on September 2, the same day the video began to circulate on social media. This information was verified by Madrid’s emergency services.
World
The “world’s tiniest bird” is not shown in this image.
False claim: A photo of a bird the size of a human fingernail was shared on social media, coupled with the claim that it is the world’s tiniest bird species.
“The Bee Hummingbird is the world’s tiniest bird, located in Cuba’s Zapata. Some of the photos have captions that say, “It beats its small wings an astounding 80 times a second.”
Truth:
- While it is true that the bee hummingbird is the world’s tiniest bird species and that it may be found in Cuba, the picture posted on social media does not depict this animal.
- The image of the bird the size of a human fingernail was uploaded on Facebook by the Natural Sciences department of Rome’s Sapienza University as an April Fools’ prank, according to a reverse image search.
- In a subsequent post, the institution explains the joke and attributes the picture to Bulgarian miniature artist Ina Malinik.
- A bee hummingbird is 5.7 cm long on average, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The Bee Hummingbird is the world’s tiniest bird, located in Cuba’s Zapata. Its tiny wings beat at an astounding 80 times each second. 😮😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/E1vgWa9fRC
August 29, 2021/ — Nature And Science Zone (@ZoneNature03)
USA
Ivermectin overdoses do not overload Oklahoma hospitals.
False claim: Newspaper articles and social media posts allege that overdose cases related to the use of the antiparasitic medication ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19 have swamped Oklahoma hospitals, leaving gunshot victims waiting for care.
Truth:
- The bogus allegation stems from comments made to local news station KFOR by Oklahoma family doctor Jason McElyea.
- The hospitals in Oklahoma where McElyea has worked have disputed that they are overburdened. Integris Grove Hospital stated a small number of patients who took ivermectin were hospitalized to its emergency department. Northeastern Health System Sequoyah said it “had not treated any patients owing to problems linked to using ivermectin.”
- According to Scott Schaffer of the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information, ivermectin-related illnesses are still uncommon.
- The misleading claim comes during an increase in veterinary ivermectin use in the United States, fueled by the erroneous promise that the medication would guard against Covid-19.
Spain/France
Women are not shown being held in a shop for not having a COVID-19 immunization certificate in the video.
False claim: Two ladies are pursued and handcuffed by police at a Paris mall, according to a video circulating on social media.
The ladies were detained when they failed to show their COVID-19 immunization certificates before entering a shop, according to the postings.
Truth:
- According to articles published in the French press on September 4, the two ladies were detained for participating in a protest against the French government’s COVID-19 control measures, including the need of so-called vaccination passports to access venues like restaurants and hospitals.
- The original video was shot by journalist Amar Taoualit, who shared it on Twitter with the description “Demonstration against health passports in Paris.” Demonstrators take over the retail mall Westfield Forum des Halles.”
- The Paris police claimed the arrests at the mall were prompted by attacks on police officers and disrespect of policeman in a video broadcast on its Twitter account.
South Korea (South Korea)
No legislation has been suggested in South Korea to make PCR testing obligatory.
False claim: A measure filed on August 19, 2021 by a group of Seoul-based legislators headed by Choi Hye-young of the Democratic Party of Korea makes PCR testing obligatory throughout the nation, according to posts published on social media in South Korea.
Truth:
- “There are no references of making PCR testing obligatory in the bill or components that might lead to this law being utilized for such practice,” a spokeswoman for Choi’s office told AFP.
- In reality, the law focuses on regulating in vitro diagnostic medical equipment producers and importers.
Brazil
It is untrue that Chinese men in Brasilia obstructed a bridge during Independence Day celebrations.
False claim: A video was posted on social media with the allegation that the pictures show Chinese men obstructing “Brasilia’s major bridge” during protests on September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day. The demonstrations backed far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been an outspoken opponent of China.
Truth:
- The photos were taken during a demonstration at the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasilia in July 2014, during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Falun Gong meditation practitioners planned the protest to protest the ritual’s persecution in China, which is illegal.
- Protesters claimed in press releases at the time that they were approached forcefully by a group of Chinese males.
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