Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in late December 2019, many conspiracies and falsehoods have been peddled about the existence of the virus and possible cures. The recent is a WhatsApp image claiming “constant sex kills coronavirus.”
The image captioned as “finally the cheapest medicine is discovered” features the logo of Cable News Network (CNN) – a multinational news-based pay television channel headquartered in Atlanta, United States and its presenter – Wolf Isaac Blitzer.
The image has been shared on several social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. Leading content discovery and social monitoring platform for publishers and brands, Crowdtangle shows there have been more than 3,400 interactions on Facebook on the subject over the past 12 months.
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Fact-check
“Sex cannot kill COVID-19,” the WHO Africa Infodemic Response Alliance said in response to the claim when contacted by GhanaFact.
Meanwhile, there is currently no licensed medication to cure COVID-19.
But a number of COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and approved after undergoing robust scientific evaluation to determine their safety, efficacy and quality and safety is closely and continually monitored even after approval.
As of August 23, more than 4.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Scientists around the world are working to find and develop treatments for COVID-19. Optimal supportive care includes oxygen for severely ill patients and those who are at risk for severe disease and more advanced respiratory support such as ventilation for patients who are critically ill,” the WHO- AIRA secretariat emphasized.
About the Image
The viral image that comes with the CNN logo and image of presenter Wolf Blitzer is fake. After doing a content search on the official website of CNN, GhanaFact could not find the claim published anywhere on the platform or on any credible news website.
A reverse image search shows that different versions of the doctored image can be traced to Aww memes website. Many of such doctored images from CNN and other news websites are available on the platform.
Also, evidence from Crowdtangle and other blogging platforms show that the viral image has been in circulation since March 2020, which means that it is old and has only resurfaced on the internet.
The claim has also been debunked by other credible fact-checking organizations including Africa Check, and VERA Files.
Verdict
The claim that constant sex kills coronavirus is FALSE and the viral image is being circulated is FAKE.
