Fact Check: Fake WhatsApp forward claims Israel has no death from COVID-19 due to lemon-bicarbonate drink

The message is false and misleading.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2020, 20:07:57 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Trisha Sengupta

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“In Israel no death from C-19!” this is how the first line of a fake message, which is now being widely circulated online, starts. It then goes onto say how there’s a cure for coronavirus and also falsely claims that the virus didn’t cause any deaths in the country. The message then details a supposed cure for the pandemic – a combination of lemon, water, and bicarbonate (baking soda). Further the message even presents an explanation that the mixture “alkalizes the immune system” and that’s why “people of Israel is relaxed about this virus”.

The message is fake and misleading. (Screengrab)

It’s being circulated widely on WhatsApp by many:

The fake news is now being shared by many.

Here are the other platforms where the message is being shared by people.

View this post on Instagram

It can't hurt 2 try✌✌✌ IN ISRAEL NO DEATH FROM C-19 ! He told them a super news ... This is how it arrived and this is how I send it. The cure for the C19 virus or the way to eliminate it was achieved. Information comes from Israel that this virus did not cause any death there. *The recipe is simple* 1. *Lemon🍋* 🍈 2. *Bicarbonate* 🥛 Mix and drink as hot tea 🍵 every afternoon, the action of the lemon with hotter baking soda ♨ immediately kills the virus 🦠 completely eliminates it from the body. These two components alkalize the immune system, since when night falls the system becomes acidic and defenses lower. That is why the People of Israel is relaxed about this virus. Everyone in Israel drinks a cup of hot water with lemon and a little baking soda at night, as this is proven to kill the virus. I share it with all my family and friends so that none of us get the virus. I leave it to your criteria.🙏🤝 *Please pass this immediately*

A post shared by Stanley R Jones (@souloperator1216) on Mar 27, 2020 at 7:11pm PDT

The message is fake and misleading. Israel’s Ministry of Health has launched a website with information and updates regarding the pandemic concerning the country. On the site, they also have a press release section where they have updated details on number of patients or any other official statement on a given day.

According to a popular daily, The Times of Israel, as of today, the numbers of patient in the country is over 3,000. Also, so far five people have died in Israel, as per reports published by several popular dailies, including Live Hindustan.

Further, there is no report by World Health Organsation (WHO) or other authoritative bodies on lemon and bicarbonate mixture being a cure for COVID-19.

Hence the claims that there are no COVID-19 cases in Israel or that this mixture can cure the virus are false

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta
Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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