Collection
Snopes investigates rumors and memes about the origins and spread of COVID-19.
by Brandon Echter, May 14, 2020
Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. (CDC/Hannah A Bullock; Azaibi Tamin)
The novel coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China in 2019 and quickly spread throughout that country and beyond. Its origins and development into a pandemic prompted rumors and misinformation, and these investigations by Snopes.
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March 5, 2020
A viral Facebook post amplified dubious and potentially dangerous claims amid an outbreak of the ...
April 1, 2020
The coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 has deadly adaptations that make it perfect for infecti ...
Feb. 20, 2020
A piece of horror fiction was a little too believable for some readers.
Jan. 31, 2020
Some details from a mock health exercise were confused with real-world reports.
Feb. 17, 2020
Misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak seems to have traveled farther than the virus itself.
April 3, 2020
Scientists do not know exactly when or where the first COVID-19 case occurred. Does that mean it ...
March 23, 2020
These two countries took different approaches in the early days of the pandemic and saw vastly d ...
Feb. 26, 2020
A video clip supposedly showing the exponential spread of a new coronavirus misled some viewers.
March 13, 2020
As of early March 2020, Italy had seen the worst COVID-19 outbreak outside Asia.
March 11, 2020
Physician: "The situation is now nothing short of dramatic. No other words come to mind."
March 6, 2020
The World Health Organization has advised people to “wash their hands after handling banknotes.”
March 22, 2020
Gas pump handles are one of many common objects that could be contaminated, so consumers should ...
March 11, 2020
The last thing readers needed amid the 2020 coronavirus pandemic was fiction disguised as "news."
March 3, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped the virus would go away in April 2020 because the "hea ...
April 3, 2020
Memes exploiting fear over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have been widespread on social media.
April 6, 2020
A routine review of content labeled satire.
April 10, 2020
Experts do not recommend heating up your personal protective gear like leftovers.
April 20, 2020
When talking about a virus, the words “get” or “catch” are vague. A more precise question is: Ca ...
April 21, 2020
The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face mask in public during the COVID-19 pandemic to help slow ...
April 27, 2020
Unlike new viruses, quotes can be manufactured with ease.
April 29, 2020
Keep in mind, the opinion of one person does not outweigh the consensus of the scientific commun ...
May 6, 2020
A viral tweet from software engineer John McAfee raised questions about social-distancing measur ...
May 8, 2020
Prolonged usage of certain masks can cause some health concerns.
May 14, 2020
A claim alleges the World Health Organization found that vegetarians are unaffected by COVID-19 ...
