June 1, 2020

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Bill Gates and George Soros have two things in common: They’re both billionaires and both often the target of conspiracy theories.

During the pandemic, Gates has been linked to false claims about using a coronavirus vaccine to microchip the population. A recent Facebook post uses a similar ploy to discourage people from getting tested for the virus.

“This is what Bill Gates and George Soros want to do,” the post says, “secretly stick you with a chip while testing you for the coronavirus… the Dems have a bill on the House floor ready to vote on it to require this …. House Bill 6666…. no bull…. look it up and WAKE UP!!!!”

The post also shows an illustrated cross-section of a person’s nasal passage and mouth while he tilts his head back. In the illustration, someone with white gloves inserts a long swab up the person’s nose into the nasal passage. An arrow pointing toward the end of the swab says: “Implant microchip here.”

“If they have to dig this deep to get to ‘infected’ tissues then it isn’t coming out when you talk to someone closer than 6ft,” reads text over the image.

PolitiFact has previously fact-checked several incorrect claims about coronavirus, microchips, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and liberal billionaire investor George Soros. We couldn’t find any credible evidence to support the claims being made against the men in this Facebook post.

Click here to read the full fact-check from PolitiFact’s Ciara O’Rourke.

Democratic super PAC claims Trump plans Medicare cuts “in the middle of a deadly pandemic”

The timeline of events doesn’t support this statement. The $451 billion figure is accurate, but presented in a misleading way. It is not a direct program cut to beneficiaries. Instead, it is the result of lowering payments to providers. Read the fact-check»

Are flamingos flocking to Venice canals following the COVID-19 quarantine?

There have been plenty of legitimate stories about animals showing up in unexpected places after the coronavirus restrictions took hold. But a picture showing a flock of flamingos in Venice canals is Not Legit. Watch the fact-check»

Post claims Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released 4,300 prisoners early due to COVID-19

Ohio has released 129 inmates early due to COVID-19, according to DeWine’s staff. Get the facts»

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Alex Mahadevan is a senior multimedia reporter at MediaWise. He can be reached at amahadevan@poynter.org or on Twitter at @AlexMahadevan. Follow MediaWise on TikTok.

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Alex Mahadevan is director of MediaWise, Poynter’s digital media literacy project that teaches people of all ages how to spot misinformation online. As director, Alex…
Alex Mahadevan

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