Covid-19: Real images, wrong context
Real images, wrong context
Sometimes it's not what you see in posts that's problematic -- it's what you think you're seeing. Real images are often used to depict completely different events. During the pandemic, these have included:
Covid-19 patient 'buried alive' // Italian 'doctor' couple embracing or Italian 'nurse' couple // Tom Hanks // video of body bags // panic buying in the US // storming of a supermarket // people bathing in cow dung // body bags of novel coronavirus victims in Italy // guide to facial hair and face masks // photo of a mass burial // elderly couple holding hands in hospital // a flock of crows // bat-infested roof // streets strewn with purported dead victims of the novel coronavirus in China or Italy // orangutan washing its hands // pandemic-related looting in UK or South Africa // purported coronavirus victims who committed suicide in the US // 'satanic creature' atop Italian church // fight between Kenyan and Chinese in 'Wuhan' // videos of black people attacked by Asian people
Below is a complete list, starting with the most recent:
- This video does not show a rally against coronavirus restrictions in London, it's footage of a demonstration in Belarus. More here.
- This video does not show a mock funeral procession to 'celebrate' Indian Home Minister Amit Shah testing positive for the novel coronavirus. It shows a mock funeral procession during an anti-citizenship law protest in India in 2019. More here.
- This is not a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin with his daughter. It shows him meeting a young patient from an oncology centre in 2012. More here.
- This is not a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughter receiving her novel coronavirus vaccine. The image has circulated since June and the woman in the photo was presented by Russian media as a volunteer in the vaccine trial. More here.
- This photo does not show Chinese tourists "allowed to go out of the Auckland bubble." The image has circulated online since at least 2016 and no tourists have been allowed into New Zealand since March 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. More here.
- This video does not show New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visiting a Hindu temple after declaring the country had reached its 100th consecutive day of no local coronavirus transmissions. Ardern had visited the temple three days prior to the milestone. More here.
- This photo does not show Japanese officials paying tribute to frontline workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic; it shows a group of workers in China in 2011. More here.
- This photo collage is not of a protest in Germany against COVID-19 restrictions, the images have circulated in reports about Black Lives Matter protests in Germany in June, 2020. More here.
- This photo does not show a mass protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Germany, it is of a street parade in Switzerland before the coronavarius pandemic. More here.
- This video does not show an assault on a McDonald's restaurant in Singapore, but in Hong Kong. More here.
- This Pakistani doctor was wounded by a police officer, not the family of a heart patient who died after being misdiagnosed with COVID-19. More here.
- This is not a genuine photo of a baby girl who died after contracting COVID-19. The image has circulated since at least 2014. More here.
- These photos do not show throats of coronavirus patients. They have circulated in reports before the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.
- This is not a video of a protest in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. The footage has circulated in reports about a military commander's funeral procession in Iran in January 2020. More here.
- This video does not show a Brazilian lawmaker erupt in anger after seeing that a field hospital that claimed to have 5,000 novel coronavirus patients was empty. The footage shows him upset over a delay in opening a new COVID-19 hospital. More here.
- This is not a photo of a baby who contracted COVID-19 after heart surgery. The image is of a baby who had the surgery in 2012. More here.
- This is not a genuine genuine prescription issued by a doctor at an Indian hospital for a COVID-19 patient. The signature was forged. More here.
- This video does not show an overflow of coronavirus patients at a hospital in Pakistan. The footage is of patients who were evacuated from a hospital after a fire broke out. More here.
- This video does not show an Islamic call to prayer from the clouds; the footage is of a Berlin broadcasting a call to prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.
- This video does not show a frontline COVID-19 nurse raped and murdered. The footage was taken from a sexual harassment awareness campaign video in India. More here.
- Not all of these images show life during the global influenza outbreak in 1918. Some were taken earlier or later and are unrealted to the pandemic. More here.
- These photos do not show South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa flouting virus laws at a birthday party. The images show him at events long before the coronavirus pandemic. More here.
- This video does not show Dr. Anthony Fauci claiming that vaccines 'make you worse.' the footage is of him emphasizing the importance of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine. More here.
- This photo does not show a scene during the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, the image circulated in reports about women's fashion in 1913. More here.
- This video does not show police in India beating a man to death for violating the COVID-19 lockdown. More here.
- This video shows the Jakarta governor speaking as part of a global online summit about the COVID-19response. More here.
- This video does not show migrant workers stopped at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border during India's COVID-19 lockdown. It shows a military recruitment event in north India in October 2019. More here.
- This video does now show conditions in a Delhi hospital COVID-19 ward. It has circulated in reports about conditions at a hospital in Mumbai. More here.
- This is not a photo of a Pakistani provincial minister violating social distancing rules in May 2020. The image is from 2018. More here.
- This is not a video of circuit boards with "COV-19" inscribed on them being fitted to 5G towers. The equipment is an aged satellite TV component unrealted to 5G technology. More here.
- This is not a photo of a daughter of a late Sri Lankan leader violating quarantine to attend a funeral. The image is of the leader's other daugther, who was not in quarantine. More here.
- This is not a video of an Italian church that lost many of its congregants to COVID-19. The footage is of a US church during an online Easter service in April 2020. More here.
- This is not a photo of overgrown shrubs at a Malaysian theme park during the novel coronavirus lockdown, the image has circulated since 2019 and shows an abandoned theme park in Japan. More here.
- This is not a photo of a victim of a deadly insect 'pandemic' during the novel coronavirus outbreak, it has circulated since at least 2013. More here.
- A video of crows flocking to the US during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is of a swarm of birds in Texas in 2016. More here.
- A photo of gifts distributed in India to mark Ramadan during the novel coronavirus lockdown? The image has circulated in reports about Ramadan gift bags in India since at least 2015. More here.
- A video showing Indians drowning religious statues for failing to offer COVID-19 protection? The footage is of an annual Hindu ritual that has nothing to do the novel coronavirus. More here.
- A video showing frogs for sale in China after the novel coronavirus lockdown lifted? The footage shows frogs for sale in Thailand. More here.
- A video of an Italian boy who lost his mother because of COVID-19? The boy in the footage is speaking Spanish and the clip has circulated since before Italy had recorded its first novel coronavirus death. More here.
- A genuine news report stating that US President Donald Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus? The footage has been edited -- the original said one of his valets had tested positive. More here.
- A photo of a packed plane in Indonesia during the novel coronavirus pandemic? The image shows Indian nationals returning home from Singapore. More here.
- A photo of euthanised COVID-19 patients? The image is from 2015 and shows victims of a deadly hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia. More here.
- A video of a 5G mast ablaze in the Italian city of La Spezia? The footage is of a transmission tower in the city with 3G and 4G antenna; 5G has not been rolled out yet in the northwestern Italian city. More here.
- A video of social distancing failure on an Air India flight during the coronavirus pandemic? The footage shows a Pakistan International Airlines plane in April. More here.
- A video of an Indian opposition politician making confusing statements about the novel coronavirus? The footage has been edited -- the original shows the politician, Rahul Gandhi, making a clear statement. More here.
- A photo of a placard celebrating Sri Lankan leaders who 'eradicated' the novel coronavirus? The image is from 2019 and has been doctored. More here.
- Videos of people who died from coronavirus in India? The footage is of victims of a gas leak at a chemical plant in India in May 2020. More here.
- A photo of food waste in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 lockdown? The image is from 2017. More here.
- A video of Pakistan shoppers fleeing police after defying COVId-19 lockdown measures? The footage is from at least 2015. More here.
- A photo of a Pakistani chief minister flouting COVID-19 lockdown measures? The image is from 2018. More here.
- A video of a drunk cop in India after the easing of COVID-19 lockdown? The footage has been online since at least 2017. More here.
- A photo of a lone cleaner at Islam's holiest shrine? The image has been doctored. More here.
- A photo of parrots on sacks of grain during India's COVID-19 lockdown? The image has been online since at least 2014. More here.
- A graphic about the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown in the Philippines? The image has bee doctored. More here.
- Video of people in Saudi Arabia celebrating the end of the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage is from Dubai after authorities eased the measures. More here.
- A photo showing a dire situation in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic? The image is from a 'die-in' protest by environmental activists in Germany. More here.
- A photo of Muslims in India violating COVID-19 lockdown to pray? The image has circulated since 2018 in reports about Ramadan prayers. More here.
- Video of corpses in body bags at an apartment home to a New York-based Islamic group? The footage is from an Islamic funeral home in New York. More here.
- Photos showing improved air quality in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 curfew? The images are from the Philippine capital of Manila. More here.
- Gathering at a mosque in Gujarat during India's COVID-19 lockdown? The footage is from Maharashtra and before the country announced the lockdown. More here.
- Video of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offering tea to journalists after recovering from COVID-19? The footage has circulated in reports since at least August 2018. More here.
- Photo of a COVID-19 hospital bill in Singapore? The bill was for medical services unrelated to COVID-19 treatment. More here.
- A video of Indian police detaining people after they failed to wear face masks? The footage is of a police drill. More here.
- A video of an Indian politician ordering police to open a mosque during the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage has circulated since 2016. More here.
- Photo of Canadian Muslims breaking COVID-19 distancing rules during Ramadan? The image was taken during a holiday in August 2019. More here.
- Video of a Koran recitation in Italy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is of an interfaith prayer in remembrance of the pandemic's victims. More here.
- Video of US students singing the Indian national anthem to thank the country for supplying hydroxychloroquine? The footage is from August 2017 and was produced to mark India's Independence Day. More here.
- Photo of Muslims praying on an Australian street during the COVID-19 lockdown? The image has circulated in reports since at least 2013. More here.
- Photo of a nurse apologising to a Muslim man after accusing Muslims of spreading COVID-19? The image is of a nurse in India treating a man who sustained a leg injury. More here.
- Photo of a truck carrying relief that were set on fire by the armed wing of the Philippines' Communist Party? The image has circulated online since at least 2015. More here.
- Photo of a South African beach during the COVID-19 lockdown? The image is of Australia's famed Bondi Beach in 2013. More here.
- Video of a sectarian axe attack in India during the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage is from an attack in Pakistan. More here.
- Photos of COVID-19 victims in Pakistan? The images are of victims of a deadly heatwave in 2015. More here.
- A video of Philippine police shooting a man dead at a COVID-19 checkpoint? The footage is of police conducting a training exercise. More here.
- These videos of black people being attacked by Asian people were filmed years before the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.
- Photo of social distancing at a Sri Lankan market during COVID-19 pandemic? The image has circulated in reports about a market in Myanmar. More here.
- Video of US printing banknotes during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from a TV show that first aired in 1991. More here.
- Video of Wuhan, China before the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is of landmarks across China, but not Wuhan. More here.
- Video of an FBI raid seizing contaminated masks? The footage shows agents confiscating masks from an alleged price gouger. More here.
- Photo of Muslims praying on rooftops in India during the COVID-19 lockdown? The image is of people in Dubai. More here.
- Photo of migrant workers stranded in Gujarat during India's COVID-19 lockdown? The photo has circulated in reports about Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. More here.
- Video of people praying on the street in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is of people in Brazil. More here.
- Video of doctors trying on faulty gowns made in China? The footage is of French-made gowns that were damaged in storage. More here.
- Video of Nigerians scrambling for food during the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage was taken months before the pandemic. More here.
- A photo of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte performing duties during the COVID-19 pandemic? The image has circulated since at least 2017. More here.
- A genuine graphic quoting a top Philippine official faulting the poor during the coronavirus crisis? The graphic has been doctored. More here.
- A video of a Muslim man spitting on police after scuffle at an Indian coronavirus quarantine center? The footage has circulated weeks before the incident. More here.
- Video of people in Italy chanting "Allahu Akbar" during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from a really in Hamgurg during protests over the persecution of Uighur Muslim in China. More here.
- Video of FBI raiding a New York synagogue after face masks were hoarded during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage shows the raid of a private home. More here.
- Photo of a new disease during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, the image shows the work of a make-up artist, not an infected hand. More here.
- Video of monkeys swimming in a pool in Pakistan during the coronavirus lockdown? No, the footage is from a pool in India. More here.
- Video of deer on a beach during the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage has circulated online since 2015 -- years before the pandemic. More here.
- Photo of elderly COVID-19 victims who were euthanised by the government? No, an image from the US television series "The Walking Dead." More here.
- This photo does not show a throat infected with the novel coronavirus. More here.
- Photo of a starving Indian family who committed suicide during the COVID-19 lockdown? The photo has circulated since at least June 2019. More here.
- Video of an Italian woman committing suicide after contracting COVID-19? The footage is from an Algerian TV drama. More here.
- Video of a 'riot' at a Malaysian customs office after Singapore's COVID-19 travel ban? The footage is from a safety drill in December 2019. More here.
- Video of Nigerians scrambling for food during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from an electoral campaign months before the crisis. More here.
- Photo of bodies of COVID-19 victims? The image is of victims of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. More here.
- Video of a Korean recitation in the US Senate during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from an interfaith prayer service at a church in 2017. More here.
- Photo of food parcels for Rwanda during the COVID-19 pandemic? The image has circulated since at least May 2019. More here.
- A vidoe of Muslims praying on the street in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from 2017. More here.
- A video showing an Indian temple turned into a COVID-19 quarantine center? The footage showing a lodging facility converted into a center. More here.
- A video of a freight train carrying aid during the COVID-19 lockdown in India? The footage has circulated online since at least 2009, a decade before the pandemic. More here.
- A photo showing an Italian COVID-19 victim holding her baby for the last time? The image has circulated in reports about an infant awaiting a marrow transplant in 1985. More here.
- Brazilians participating in COVID-19 candlelit vigil after Indian PM's call for 'solidarity?' No, the footage predates Narenda Modi's call for vigils. More here.
- Photos of Chinese aid arriving in Nigeria? No, the images show China's medical supplies in Ghana. More here.
- Video showing a fight between Kenyans and Chinese in Wuhan, China? The footage was filmed in New York. More here.
- Video of White House holding a 'blessing ceremony' for Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, the footae is from an event in September 2017. More here.
- Video shows Pakistani forces capturing COVID-19 patients who escaped quarantine? The footage has circulated in reports about a training drill at a quarantine center. More here.
- Video shows family of five devastated by infection? No, the images are stock photos. More here.
- Video showing panic buying in Malaysia during the COVId-19 pandemic? No, the footage has circulated online since November 2019. More here.
- A video of Afghan nationals entering Pakistan without COVID-19 screening? No, footage of Afghans leaving Pakistan during a temporary opening of the border. More here.
- A video of musicians reciting God's names during the COVId-19 outbreak in New Zealand? No, footage from a choir concert in Turkey in 2011. More here.
- A video showing Muslims licking crockery during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, footage from 2018 showing men practicing dining etiquette in Mumbai. More here.
- Photos showing a protest in the Philippines during the COVID-19 lockdown? No, the images circulated online before the country imposed the measure. More here.
- A photo of US presidential candidate Joe Biden kissing a child during the novel coronavirus pandemic? No, the image is of Mexico's president. More here.
- A video of Italian doctors who contracted COVID-19 while treating patients? No, the footage is from a Mexican television drama. More here.
- A video of a detector dog assaulted during the COVID-19 patrol? No, the footage surfaced online at least a year before the novel coronavirus outbreak. More here.
- A video of a 'satanic creature' atop an Italian church? No, computer-generated imagery superimposed on a cathedral in Nicaragua. More here.
- A video of a gay party in Italy ahead of COVID-19 outbreak? No, the footage is from a Brazil carnival in 2018. More here.
- Photo showing medics in Italy who had died of COVID-19? No, an image from the US medical TV drama "Grey's Anatomy." More here.
- Photo of a Nigerian actress serving punishment for partying during the coronavirus lockdown? No, a photo of a waste management officer that has been circulating since 2018. More here.
- A video of a spooky droned deployed in Australia to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown? No, the footage has circulated since at least 2016 about a prank in Brazil. More here.
- A video of a police officer being beaten at an Indian temple after trying to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown? No, the footage was uploaded to an Indian wrestling-themed YouTube channel in June 2019. More here.
- A video of soldiers beating Nigerians for flouting COVID-19 lockdown? No, old footage showing police in Ghana. More here.
- A video showing bodies of COVID-19 victims who committed suicide in the US? No, the footage first appeared in 2014 in reports about migrants who drowned off the Libyan coast. More here.
- A photo of an Italian 'nurse couple' embracing? No, the image was taken by an Associated Press photographer at Barcelona's airport. More here. (The image previously circulated purporting to show a couple of Italian 'doctors' who died treating COVID-19 patients. More here).
- A video of the 'first Islamic call to prayer in Spain in 500 years?' The call has not been banned in the country in recent times; the footage is from Azerbaijan in November, 2019. More here.
- A video fo Indian activist Trupti Desai being arrested after buying alcohol during the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage circulated in reports about her arrest in September 2019, months before the novel coronavirus first appeared in humans. More here.
- A photo of a tank in Toronto during the novel coronavirus crisis? No, the image was taken in 2016 during a festival. More here.
- A photo of coffins of coronavirus victims in Italy? No, the image has circulated in reports about the coffins of earthquake victims in Italy in 2009. More here.
- A video of Spanish police transferring people to quarantine centers? No, the footage was shot in Azerbaijan in October 2019 during an anti-government protest. More here.
- A video of South Africa's president announcing a 81-day lockdown? No, the video has been doctored. More here.
- A photo of a body who died of COVID-19 in the UK? No, this photo has circulated in reports about an Irish teenager who died in 2017. More here.
- Video of looting during the coronavirus lockdown in UK? No, the footage shows London riots in 2011. More here.
- Video of Italians praying outside together during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, the footage is of worshippers in Peru in 2019. More here.
- Videos of recent looting in South Africa? No, the footage was circulating online last year. More here.
- A video of body bags strewn across the floor of a New York hospital? The footage was shot in Ecuador. More here.
- A photo of a pastor beaten for defying coronavirus measures? No, it's an AFP photo shot in 2006. More here.
- A video of a Sanskrit teacher reciting verses on Spanish radio during the pandemic? The footage was recorded in London in November, 2019, weeks before the virus appeared. More here.
- Photos showing money discarded on streets of Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, the images have circulated online since at least March 2019, months before the outbreak. More here.
- A video showing a Sri Lankan doctor who invented rapid test kits for the novel coronavirus? No, the doctor shown was interviewed about the benefits of rapid testing and was not involved in the development of testing kits. More here.
- A video of Italians singing a Chinese song to thank China for COVID-19 aid? No, a Belarussian band singing a Chinese folk song before the outbreak. More here.
- A video of police detaining people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain? No, footage from reports about an anti-government protest in Azerbaijan in 2019. More here.
- A video of an orangutan washing its hands during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, footage that has circulated since at least November 2019, weeks before the first case of the novel coronavirus was first detected. More here.
- A video of Chinese people pulling down 5G towers over novel coronavirus fears? No, footage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in August 2019. More here.
- A video claiming to show bodies being removed from a hospital in Iran during the coronavirus pandemic? No, the footage has circulated since at least August 2019 about a funeral procession for pilgrims who died during the Hajj. More here.
- A photo of a fleet of lorries claiming that they were distributing food during the coronvarus curfew in Sri Lanka? No, the photo is of lorries used in a political initiative in 2014. More here.
- A photo of a Spanish researcher calling on international soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to find a cure for COVID-19 since they earn much more money than scientists? No, a photo of a Spanish politician speaking in April 2018. More here.
- A photo of an embracing "Italian doctor couple" who have purportedly died after contracting the novel coronavirus from patients they were treating? No, it is an Associated Press photo of a couple kissing at an airport in Barcelona, Spain. More here.
- A video of food donations deposited on a street in Turkey during the novel coronavirus lockdown? No, donations for victims of an earthquake in eastern Turkey in January, 2020, nearly two months before the country recorded its first virus case. More here.
- Photos of of scenes in Italy during the pandemic? No, photos of the aftermath of a March 2020 earthquake in Croatia. More here.
- Photos of a crying child and purportedly his parents sick in hospital with the novel coronavirus? No, the pictures do not depict a family and have circulated online before the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.
- A video fo Chinese Muslims holding a communal prayer despite the pandemic? No, the footage has circulated in reports in 2011. More here.
- A video showing bodies of COVID-19 victims being dumped in a ditch in Italy? No, footage that was taken from the 2007 US television program Pandemic. More here.
- Photos of vegetables that were purportedly donated to those in need in Sri Lanka? No, images of vegetable being donated in southern Sri Lanka in August 2019. More here.
- A photo of dead novel coronavirus victims lying on the ground in Italy? No, people participating in an art project in Germany in 2014. More here. (previously circulated purportedly showing victims in China -- more here)
- A video purporting to show a man wiping his sweat on the buttons of a lift in a residential block in Hong Kong? No, this footage has circulated in media reports about an incident in Thailand. More here.
- A video of Italy police arresting a man who flouted the national coronavirus lockdown? No, the footage is of police in Sao Paolo detaining a knife-wielding man. More here.
- A video of former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein purportedly saying in the 1990s that the US threatened to spread the novel coronavirus in Iraq? No, the video's audio has been doctored and the original does not include any reference to the novel coronavirus, which jumped from an animal to a human in December, 2019. More here.
- A video of a drone launching fireworks at people who breached the novel coronavirus curfew in Malaysia? No, the video has been manipulated to add a man speaking in Malaysian; the original clip shows a prank staged in Brazil in July 2019. More here.
- A video showing a looting spree in Mexico prompted by panic over the novel coronavirus? No, footage from looting in 2017. More here.
- A screenshot of a Nigerian television station showing a breakdown of '472 confirmed cases' of the novel coronavirus? No, footage of figures for Lassa fever. More here.
- A video claiming that a shaman had cured a patient in Malaysia? No, the footage has circulated since at least October 2018 about a hospital in Indonesia. More here.
- A video showing Chinese police arresting people infected with the novel coronavirus? No, footage of police arresting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in August 2019, months before the pandemic. More here.
- A video showing the Koran being distributed in China after it lifted a "ban" following the coronavirus outbreak? No, the footage has circulated online since at least 2013. More here.
- An image of fully stocked shelves of toilet paper, purportedly during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak above another of barren shelves during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic? No, the image of the stocked shelves is a screenshot of news footage shot this year, not in 2009. More here.
- A video showing a woman detained by Australia police after she tested positive for the novel coronavirus? No, the footage was created from two different clips of separate incidents involving different women. More here.
- A video of US President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference announcing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus? No, neither Trump nor anyone else in the press conference mention that a vaccine is ready to be administered. More here.
- A photo of a COVID-19 medicine created by US scientists to cure the disease? No, the image is of a COVID-19 test kit developed by a South Korean company. More here.
- A screenshot of a news broadcast that shows a lion in a street and reporting that Russia has deployed hundreds of the felines to maintain order during the novel coronavirus outbreak? no, the photo was taken in South Africa in 2016. More here.
- A photo of a rail freight tanked with "COVID-19" stamped on one side? No, there is no such mark, according to the corporation that manages an industry-wide database. More here.
- A photo of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari shaking hands with an official while both wear face masks? No, the image was doctored. More here.
- A video of a fire erupting inside a vehicle in an explosion that was sparked by an alcohol-based disinfectant? No, footage that has circulated in media reports since at least 2015 about a car explosion in Saudi Arabia. More here.
- A photo showing Italy's president crying over the novel coronavirus epidemic? No, a shot of the Brazilian president getting emotional during a speech in December 2019. More here.
- A video showing Zimbabwe police beating churchgoers because their place of worship refused to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19? No, the footage was filmed before the virus outbreak and shows opposition supporters being dispersed. More here.
- A video of a US soldier wiping his saliva on a subway train handrail in the Chinese city of Wuhan? No, footage that circulated in reports in March 2020 about a subway in Belgium. More here.
- A video of Canadian Prime Minister's wife Sophie Trudeau in a hospital bed urging people to stay home? No, the footage is of a British waitress who has been infected with COVID-19. More here.
- A photo of coffins of Italian nationals who died during the novel coronavirus pandemic? No, an image of coffins of migrants who drowned when their boat sank off the coast of Italy in October 2013. More here and here.
- An image showing China administerating the "world's first new coronavirus vaccine?" The photos have circulated in reports about China testing a potential vaccine. More here.
- A video showing billionaire businessman Jack Ma praising China's response to the outbreak? No, the footage has been doctored -- the original shows Jack Ma at a meeting in 2018 and the voiceover has been taken from another clip that shows a different man speaking. More here.
- A SriLankan Airlines pilot who tested positive for the novel coronavirus? No, the pilot is not the man pictured in the photo. More here.
- a Canadian government video illustrating how the novel coronavirus is transmitted between people? No, the video was produced by a regional hospital trust in the UK in 2010 about how infections spread in hospitals. More here.
- video of a crowd storming an ALDI supermarket during the novel coronavirus pandemic? No, the footage is from Germany in 2011. More here.
- video of panic buying an fighting in the US during the novel coronavirus pandemic? No, the video has been shared since November 2019, weeks before the virus was first detected. More here.
- photos of Indians bathing in cow dung to prevent infection with the novel coronavirus? No, participants at an annual cow dung festival held in October, 2019, several weeks before the new virus was detected. More here.
- video of body bags of coronavirus victims in Italy? No, the video has been shared before about people who died of the virus in Iran. More here.
- photo of vegan food shelf untouched while other food items cleared amid panic buying during the novel coronavirus crisis? No, this photo has been circulating since September 2017 in reports about panic buying after Hurricane Harvey in the US. More here.
- photos of empty supermarket shelves in Sri Lanka after panic buying sparked by the novel coronavirus crisis? No, the images have circulated since 2015 and show supermarkets in the US. More here.
- a video of monkeys stealing food from a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, pondering the country's readiness to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, the video was taken before the COVID-19 crisis in another part of the country. More here.
- a photo of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks holding a volleyball gifted to him by his carers in Australia? No, a doctored image of a 2015 photo. More here.
- A video showing coronavirus quarantine hotel collapse in China? No, the video has circulated online since 2017 about a hotel demolition. More here.
- A photo of the novel coronavirus magnified 2,600 times? No, a magnified photo of a weevil. More here.
- Video of Wuhan residents collecting death certificates? No, the video has previously circulated in reports about Wuhan residents gathering to collect free vegetables. More here.
- an infographic recommending facial hair for novel coronavirus prevention? No, a graphic about facial hair and respirator use. More here.
- a photo of Iranian officials visiting the vice president after she contracted the novel coronavirus? No, the photo has circulated in reports since 2014, after one of Iran's VPs was injured in a traffic accident. More here.
- video of Chinese officials detaining a suspected coronavirus case? No, footage of a police drill in China during the novel coronavirus crisis. More here.
- a video of a parade in Frane organized to laud China's efforts in fighting the novel coronavirus? No, footage of a parade in Italy during an annual art carnival. More here.
- a photo of Cambodian Prime Mininister Hun Sen purporting to show him hospitalized after he contracted the novel coronavirus? No, the photo was taken in 2017 after the premier was treated for an unrelated health condition in Singapore. More here.
- photo of a mass burial ground for coronavirus victims? No, a scene from the trailer of the 2011 movie Contagion. More here.
- photo of an elderly Chinese couple holding hands in a hospital after they contracted the novel coronavirus? No, the images have previously circulated in reports that they were a couple suffering from unrelated health problems. More here.
- a video of Chinese shoppers storming a supermarket after the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, the video has circulated in reports since at least October 2019, two months before the outbreak was first reported. More here.
- a video of Chinese people converting to Islam due to the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, an Islamic conversion in Saudi Arabia in May 2019, months before the outbreak. More here.
- a video of Chinese people fleeing to Vietnam after the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, the video circulated online weeks before the novel coronavirus was first reported. More here.
- a video of a rainbow behind a coronavirus disinfectant truck in China? No, the video has circulated since March 2019, months before the outbreak. More here.
- a video of a crowd running from a Chinese man who collapsed in Mauritania? No, the footage was shared online months before the start of the novel coronavirus crisis. More here.
- a video of a car smashing through a coronavirus roadblock in Wuhan in China? No, footage of a staged car crash filmed for a 2018 movie in China. More here.
- a video of bodies on Wuhan street after the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, footage of people sleeping rough in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. More here.
- a map simulating the global spread of the novel coronavirus? No, an image of flight paths worldwide. More here.
- video of quarantined Wuhan residents shouting greetings from apartments? No, footage from tower blocks in Shanghai and the clip has been altered to include the audio. More here.
- a video of non-Muslim Chinese performing a prayer because of the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, the footage is of an Eid prayer in China in June 2019, months before the virus was first detected. More here.
- a video of a fire that broke out in a Wuhan apartment after residents used disinfectant against the novel coronavirus? No, footage of a fire sparked by a discarded cigarette. More here.
- a video of crows flocking to Wuhan after the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, footage from crows in the Chinese city of Xining, 1,000 miles away from Wuhan. More here.
- a video of a major explosion in Wuhan as China battles the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, footage from a blast in Tianjin, China in 2015, years before the crisis. More here.
- photo of a chart showing that the H1N1 flu was far more deadly than the novel coronavirus? The chart is outdated and has since been updated to show a much lower H1N1 fatality rate. More here.
- a photo showing Hong Kong police hoarding face masks? No, the photo was published in 018, two years before the novel coronavirus outbreak. More here.
- a photo showing a novel coronavirus case in the suburb of Sydney, Australia in early February? No, the photo was a hoax -- as of February 6, 2020, there had been no confirmed cases of the virus in that suburb. More here.
- a video purporting to show novel coronavirus patients in China? No, footage of South African students taking part in a high school initiation. More here.
- a video of scores of bats that were the cause of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China? No, repairs being made to the roof of a bat-infested house in the US. More here.
- video of Chinese leader Xi Jinping praying at a mosque after the novel coronavirus outbreak? No, footage of the president visiting a mosque in China in 2016, years before the virus was detected. More here.
- photo of China's prime minister dining in Wuhan after the coronavirus outbreak? No, an image taken during Li Keqiang's visit to Sichuan in 2013. More here.
- video of China's leader praying at a mosque after the coronavirus outbreak? No, footage of a former Malaysian prime minister praying at a Beijing mosque in 2004. More here.
- photo of a Japanese medical team in Wuhan to aid the coronavirus response? No, the image has circulated since 2008 about a Japanese medical team going to China. More here.
- video of a doctor comparing blood smaples taken from a person infected with the coronavirus? No, footage of a college student who made the video for a project on how videos go viral on the Internet. More here.
- photo of people on the ground who died from the novel coronavirus? No, people participating in an art project in Germany to remember Nazi concentration camp victims. More here.
- a photo of a hospital building constructed in 16 hours in Wuhan? No, an stock image of a building that has circulated online since January 2019. More here.
- a video of a market in Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus originated? No, footage of a market selling wild animals in Indonesia's Sulawesi island. More here.