AFP Philippines

Doctors refute misleading online claim that epidural injections are 'dangerous' and 'sometimes compulsory'

Published on 21 February 2020 at 05:55

A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook which claim epidural injections compulsorily administered during childbirth are “one of the worst and dangerous injections in the world”, resulting in chronic back pain. The posts also claim that some mothers have "no choice" about whether they receive an epidural injection. The claim is misleading; doctors say such serious complications from epidurals are “extremely rare”, and the injections are optional.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration says it did not issue this 'coronavirus escapee' warning

Published on 19 February 2020 at 08:20

Multiple Facebook posts have shared a purported government announcement that calls for the arrest of a Chinese national from the city of Wuhan who allegedly escaped quarantine at an airport in the Philippines after the novel coronavirus outbreak. The posts have been shared hundreds of times. The claim is false; the Philippine Bureau of Immigration denied issuing the advisory and called it “a hoax”.

These photos show a private firm distributing face masks in Manila

Published on 19 February 2020 at 07:35

Two photos have been shared in multiple posts on Facebook which claim the Philippine government is giving out free face masks to the public following the novel coronavirus outbreak. These photos have been used in a misleading context; they show a private firm distributing free face masks to locals in Manila’s Chinatown, and while the Philippine government did once provide masks free of charge, it has since issued a statement discouraging its use.

This photo has been doctored to show the actor holding a manipulated placard

Published on 17 February 2020 at 08:55

A photo has been shared in multiple social media posts which claim the image shows Filipino actor Baron Geisler criticizing the television network ABS-CBN for supposedly not paying its taxes and financial obligations to the Philippine government. The claim is false; the photo has been doctored - its original version shows Geisler expressing support for ABS-CBN.

Doctors refute misleading online claim that consuming boiled ginger can cure novel coronavirus infections

Published on 13 February 2020 at 11:30

Multiple posts on Facebook shared tens of thousands of times during the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic in February 2020 claim ginger can “cure” coronavirus infections if it is boiled and consumed on an empty stomach. The claim is misleading; health experts say there is no scientific evidence boiled ginger can definitively relieve people of the viral infection, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised those showing symptoms to seek immediate medical help, instead of testing home remedies.

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