Even in the midst of a global pandemic, conspiracy theorists will find a way to spread disinformation.

Advertisement Hide

Their latest antic involves taking pictures and videos of hospitals in an effort to “prove” that coronavirus is a hoax.

Advertisement Hide

The theory appears to stem from the mistaken belief that hospital waiting rooms and parking lots appear empty because the virus isn’t either real or as serious as people are being told.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC



Advertisement Hide

In reality, there are fewer cars and people because visitation and elective procedures have been canceled to slow the spread of coronavirus. Further, medical facilities are taking great care to separate coronavirus patients from those without the disease.

Elmhurst Hopsital in queens NY where the media is reporting of having the highest cases and deaths yet its empty… pic.twitter.com/IShsMd0h47 — Jim (@DeplorableJim79) March 28, 2020

Advertisement Hide

Taking photos at medical facilities can also violate federal patient privacy rights. And it’s extremely ill-advised to go to a coronavirus hot zone like a hospital.

None of this is thwarting conspiracy theorists, of course. They’re convinced that they’re onto something.

#FilmYourHospital has garnered international reach. Unsurprisingly QAnon followers—some of whom believe Dr. Anthony Fauci is a deep state plant—are among those spreading it.

Advertisement Hide

Just went to 2 hospitals in LA to check out these “War Zones” the MSM keeps telling us about.🏥



They are very quiet & EMPTY.

We are not being told the truth. Why?? Let’s get #FilmYourHospital trending. We ARE the news now. We can’t trust the news. Post pics of ur hospital here! pic.twitter.com/5AJ5L588lQ — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) March 29, 2020

Grand Strand Medical Center (Hospital)

Myrtle Beach, SC #FilmYourHospital pic.twitter.com/h8mATfjXfY — Cindy Hall (@KlingCindy) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

Advertisement Hide

I just commented the same thing, I haven't heard or seen an ambulance in a couple of weeks…what on earth is going on?? — Tesla's Muse (@OrigTeslasMuse) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

https://twitter.com/exit50/status/1244460815929016320?s=20

Advertisement Hide

Many are pushing back against this false rumor, which is based on anecdotal evidence collected by people without backgrounds in medicine or public health. Most seemed to believe that the conspiracy theory is, in a word, nuts.

Advertisement Hide

“The people under this tag are literally conspiracy theory nut jobs,” said @petrinajc.

People who work in the healthcare industry or have loved ones who do are among the most outspoken against it.

Much like the theory itself, the pushback is international.

Advertisement Hide

https://twitter.com/CatCaspian/status/1244472597154324484?s=20

My BFF’s mom (that I’ve known for almost 20 yrs) is a Respitory Therapist at a local hospital in SWFL isn’t lying! We aren’t even in an epicenter and she sounds pretty shaken. She’s been an RT for 10 yrs now. #FilmYourHospital pic.twitter.com/LMvIa4urIX — Karma Brewing 🩸 🦷 (@KarmaBrewing) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

Some went so far as to suggest that those who don’t believe coronavirus is real should go hang out at facilities where the infected are being treated. (Do not do that under any circumstances.)

Brooklyn hospital..



I know 90% of the folks promoting #FilmYourHospital are doing it safely from their homes.. but I won’t feel an ounce of remorse for the morons who will walk into covid-19 hot-zones .. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/GDi76FQzdH — Oskaer (@Oskaer__13) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

Jokes, logic and horrifying details were interwoven among most reactions to the hashtag.

Advertisement Hide

Don't #FilmYourHospital you morons. That's potentially violating other people's right to privacy, and that's not cool. pic.twitter.com/rjfdSkO5ce — ( R.V.Klein / ウサギ クライン ) (@rabbitvk) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

I can't believe all these numbnuts went around filming hospitals expecting to see Pearl Harbor. There are 6146 hospitals in the country and "only" 142k coronavirus cases not all of which even require hospitalization. It will look pretty calm on the outside now. #FilmYourHospital — This is fascism and I reject it.🆘 (@benFranklin2018) March 30, 2020

Waiting rooms & parking lots do not tell the story of what's happening in ICUs. Unless you're at the frontline, you may not know ventilators & PPE are running low. There are doctors & nurses HOSPITALIZED with #Covid19. #FilmYourHospital is irresponsible; please stop. #medtwitter — Roxana Daneshjou, MD/PhD (@RoxanaDaneshjou) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

Just when I thought Twitter couldn’t get dumber I see #FilmYourHospital trending. Dear trolls here in the US there is something called HIPAA (not to mention common human decency) that makes filming a huge no no. pic.twitter.com/N5B1YkOQmS — Emily R (@ERahmanPhoto) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

https://twitter.com/SarahKrusemark/status/1244465870593802240?s=20

Advertisement Hide

Trump started blaming hospitals, doctors, and nurses and now we have the #FilmYourHospital hashtag. Some people have worms for brains and he’s very good at knowing how to exploit those people. — Southern Homo, MD (@SouthernHomo) March 30, 2020

Advertisement Hide

#filmyourhospital Break room at my local hospital today. Doctor in spotless scrubs dancing while administrator and custodial staff watch. What are they hiding? https://t.co/X73Mh3tIpc



CC: @RexDangerSeeker — Stephen Douglas (@Stephen_Douglas) March 30, 2020

Coronavirus has thus far infected more than 120,000 and killed 2,000 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Globally, just three months since this strain of coronavirus was first identified, there have been 740,000 confirmed cases and 35,000 deaths.

Advertisement Hide

READ MORE: