No, people didn’t lick cutlery to spread coronavirus. PIB debunks fake news

PIB tweeted the video claiming people are locking cutlery to spread coronavirus is fake.

Updated on: Apr 4, 2020, 13:27:48 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Trisha Sengupta

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As the coronavirus pandemic continues, there’s also an outbreak of fake and misleading information spreading online. From trying to cook up false ‘scientific’ reasons behind the government’s decisions to sharing fake ’treatments’ and ‘cures’ for COVID-19, there’s a wave of fake news on the Internet. One such fake message going viral is a video being shared with a claim that it shows some people in India licking cutlery to spread the deadly virus. Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Twitter handle debunked the fake news with a post.

The video is being shared with a false claim. (Twitter/PIB)

“A video claiming people are licking cutlery to spread #Coronavirus is being widely shared in the context of #Covid19 in India,” the department wrote. “The video is old from the year 2018 and not related #Covid19,” they added.

The tweet also urged people to be corona warriors and share only those posts that are authentic and verified.

People appreciated the agency’s efforts in keeping everyone informed and debunking fake news.

“Thanks for sharing, this has been circulating on WhatsApp. Hope it stops here,” wrote a Twitter user. “Great job,” commented another. “Thank you for debunking the fake news,” wrote a third.

A day ago, the agency also debunked another fake news post related to PM Modi’s message on lighting candles and mobile flashlights on April 9 for 9 minutes.

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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