Columns and Letters

Column: Beware of scams exploiting coronavirus fears

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 10:12

- Bonny H.J. MacIsaac

    So much going on day to day, really hour by hour lately. In February, I started hearing of scams circulating regarding COVID-19, taking advantage of fears surrounding the coronavirus.  I swear some scammers will stop at nothing! Public Health Officials are clear that there is no pill, vaccine, or supplement that can cure or prevent the virus.
    One of the more notable snake oil salesmen, ordered to cease and desist is disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker. The pitch suggesting a ‘miracle cure' went like this - “This influenza that is now circling the globe, you’re saying that Silver Solution would be effective?” Bakker asked the naturopathic doctor Sherrill Sellman on his February 12th show, holding up a bottle of the product.
    “Silver Solution hadn’t been tested on the current strain of the coronavirus,” Sellman responded, but “it has been tested on other strains of the coronavirus, and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours. Totally eliminates it, kills it, deactivates it.”

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Letter: Can't ignore other diseases

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 10:16

Dear Editor:

                 March 24^th is World TB Day. Two weeks ago, when COVID-19 was still a somewhat vague international threat, I noticed a posting from a northerner: “When I was in Halifax, I sneezed and someone jokingly asked if I had coronavirus. I told them not to worry, I’m from Nunavut, so it’s probably just TB.” It’s a reminder that while the world is intently focussed on minimizing the effects of the pandemic, the usual infectious diseases continue to wreak their havoc by killing millions of the weak and disadvantaged. We can’t afford to ignore them. World TB Day is a good day to acknowledge we are all in this together and to recommit to the fight against all infectious diseases that know no borders.

Randy Rudolph

Calgary, AB