This Is Fake! NASA Satellite Hasn't Shown Coronavirus Retreat In India, Please Stay Safe

After PM Modi asked citizens of India to observe Janta Curfew and applaud their appreciation for people fighting to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country at 5 PM on March 22, people across India heeded the PM's request and clapped their hands, thrashed their plates, and made some noise at their respective homes.

And immediately after, a disingenuous WhatsApp message started doing the rounds, claiming all the clapping has reduced the spread of Coronavirus in the country, falsely attesting it to NASA.

The WhatsApp message in question says that "NASA satellite videos LIVE telecast have shown that the Coronavirus is retreating in India thanks to the people's efforts at 5PM on 22 Mar..." No hang on there's more, you haven't read anything yet.

"The cosmic level sound waves generated have been detected by NASA's SD13 wave detector," the WhatsApp message continues, "and a recently made bio-satellite has shown COVID-19 strain diminishing and weakening!!!"

The message closes by thanking everyone for making the 5PM applause "a success" before ending with couple of patriotic slogans.

This WhatsApp message is fake, don't believe it

Needless to say, this message is fake and not true, possibly started by a seasoned online troll, and poses a danger to public health. There is no evidence of a NASA SD13 wave detector, there's no confirmation from NASA to show that the 5PM clapping did anything to show that the Coronavirus is retreating in India.

Twitter / Karuna Gone

If you get this message as a forward in a family or friend's WhatsApp, please try to correct their misconception. India is a critical juncture in its fight against the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, one that requires social distancing and practicing lots of caution and personal hygiene.

Social distancing is crucial, not just from the perspective of not contracting the virus, but also since you donĄ¯t want doctors across the world, or even in India go through the same ordeal.

Limiting your presence or self-quarantining will only help the virus to stay in a confined location and spread to hundreds of people -- this way people who really need the doctors attention will be able to get that and they wonĄ¯t be overwhelmed by the pressure.

AFP

Clapping your hands is not enough to make Coronavirus or COVID-19 go away. In fact, the number of daily Coronavirus cases are only rising in India, and are expected to rise sharply in the coming days. All of us here in India need to exercise sound personal judgement and stay safe indoors as much as possible.