Fake recommendations shared on SNS under the name "Korean Medical Association (KMA) Recommendations"
[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Fake information related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is being shared on social networking services (SNS) under the name of "Korean Medical Association (KMA) Recommendations," prompting the KMA to issue a warning.
The fake recommendations include statements such as ▲ colds or pneumonia with runny nose or sputum are not caused by the coronavirus ▲ the virus is weak to heat and dies at temperatures of 26~27 degrees Celsius ▲ drinking hot water frequently and exposure to sunlight prevent infection ▲ the virus is large enough to be filtered by regular masks.
The recommendations include English terms alongside Korean words and are formatted with sections like "Identification Method," "Coronavirus," and "Prevention," which may give the impression of credible information at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the editing lacks consistency, and there are grammatical errors and typos in some words.
Kim Daeha, Director of Public Relations and Medical Affairs at the KMA, stated, "While some advice such as washing hands frequently or not rubbing your eyes is correct, inaccurate information being spread as official recommendations from an expert organization at a time when community transmission is intensifying and public anxiety is growing can cause harm to the public," urging caution.
He added, "Most of the content, such as asserting that having a runny nose or sputum means you are not infected with COVID-19 and that the virus is weak to heat so you should drink hot water, lacks medical evidence," and explained, "Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person."
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