The Latest Fact Checks from the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) 03/27/2020

The code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network IFCN at Poynter is a series of commitments organizations abide by to promote excellence in fact-checking. The following fact checks come from IFCN fact checkers. (D. Van Zandt)

	Claim by Donald Trump: “We’ve done more tests in eight days than South Korea has done in eight weeks.” PolitiFact rating: False Donald Trump’s comparison of US, South Korea coronavirus testing is wrong. Here’s why
	Claim via Social Media: Does COVID stand for “Chinese Originated Viral Infectious Disease?” Lead Stories rating: False Fact Check: COVID Does NOT Stand For ‘Chinese Originated Viral Infectious Disease’
	Claim by Facebook posts: “Bill Gates told us about the coronavirus in 2015.” PolitiFact rating: Mostly True Bill Gates warned in 2015 that we were unprepared for an infectious virus
	Claim by TRUMP: “People get tremendous anxiety and depression, and you have suicides over things like this when you have terrible economies. You have death. Probably and — I mean, definitely — would be in far greater numbers than the numbers that we’re talking about with regard to the virus.” AP Fact Check rating: False AP FACT CHECK: Trump claims rising suicides if US stays shut
	Claim via Social Media: A viral Facebook post claims that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic killed 18,000 people in the U.S. and that the media did not report on it. Check Your Fact rating: False FACT CHECK: DID THE 2009 SWINE FLU PANDEMIC KILL 18,000 AMERICANS?

International Fact Checks

	Claim by Multiple Sources: Food and vegetables markets closed in Chennai amid COVID-19 lockdown   AFP Fact Check rating: False   Indian authorities refute ‘fake’ claim about food markets closing in Chennai during COVID-19 lockdown
	Claim by Multiple sources: Philippines to distribute $400 to social security members for COVID-19 outbreak   AFP Fact Check rating: False   The Philippines’ social security agency said this report about a COVID-19 benefit payment was ‘fake news’
	Claim by Twitter user: Saddam Hussein predicted coronavirus   Times of India rating: False   FACT CHECK: Did Saddam Hussein warn about coronavirus 30 years ago?

Disclaimer: We are providing links to fact checks by the IFCN. If you do not agree with a fact check, please directly contact the source of that fact check.

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