The Latest Fact Checks from the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) 04/06/2020

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 via Social Media: Pictures and reports of “empty hospitals” prove COVID-19 spread is “fake crisis for real government planned agendas.” Politifact rating: False Hospital beds being kept empty to prepare for COVID-19 influx
	Claim via Social Media: Is it true that asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 who die of other medical problems will be added to the coronavirus death toll? Lead Stories rating: False Fact Check: COVID-19 NOT Being Blamed For Deaths Primarily Due To Unrelated Causes
	Claim via Social Media: “This lady here applied sanitizer to her hands/forearms & went to the kitchen to cook. The moment she turned on the gas stove, her hands caught fire due to the alcohol contained in the sanitizer.” Politifact rating: False Don’t let this Facebook post scare you: Hand sanitizer is flammable, but safe when used correctly
	Claim via Social Media: A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows a store being looted in Veracruz, Mexico, during the coronavirus pandemic. Check Your Fact rating: False FACT CHECK: VIRAL VIDEO CLAIMS TO SHOW LOOTING IN MEXICO DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
	Claim by Anonymous: “The coronavirus has been “released” by China” Health Feedback rating: Unsupported Evidence points to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 being of natural origin, no evidence it could have been intentionally propagated
	(International) Claim: “All honorable members of the group are informed that right now any post related to Corona virus has been declared a punishable offense by the Central Government, only a government agency can post on Corona.” Boom (India) rating: False No, Home Ministry Has Not Made Sharing Coronavirus Messages A Punishable Offence

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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