We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
TÁNAISTE SIMON COVENEY has warned people to be careful about where they get their information from about the coronavirus outbreak and government measures, adding that false messages are being created “deliberately to cause panic”.
This comes after a second message about a military lockdown has gone viral in Ireland across the messaging service WhatsApp, which has stoked fear and panic among people.
The Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Defence Forces spokespeople have dismissed the ‘military lockdown’ messages as false and unhelpful. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also warned people to use official resources to get updates about the actions government would take to stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
“I am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on WhatsApp groups. These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage,” he tweeted.
Leo Varadkar / TwitterI am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on What's app groups. These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources. Follow @HSELive @hpscireland @WHO @merrionstreet @dfatravelwise
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 16, 2020
A number of messages have been widely shared on WhatsApp that claimed there would be a ‘Status Red’ lockdown imposed by the army from Monday – that’s today.
The Defences Forces clarified that there was no truth to this message, and that the message was “unhelpful and irresponsible”.
There is no military lockdown today. As was announced by government last week, schools, colleges and cultural institutions have closed this week and next week.
A decision was made last night to close pubs and clubs. The Restaurants Association of Ireland is now calling for cafés and restaurants to close as well.
What is happening today, is that members of the Defence Forces are assembling at their HQ, to discuss measures that will be put in place.
It’s understood that they will move to a Status Yellow level of preparation; a statement said that they “stand ready to aid civil authorities”.
The army has already begun helping the HSE with tasks such as contact tracing to help identify people who have been in contact with a confirmed case.
Paul Reid / TwitterWe started with 60 people on contact tracing for #COVID19. I'm pleased that today we have secured 800 staff from across the public service, to support us in this key part of our battle. We will get this to 1,000 when required. An amazing response. @HSELive #OnePublicService pic.twitter.com/97C3OSblKT
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 14, 2020
A second message has now began circulating over the weekend, which talks about a “full lockdown” being announced at 11 today, and which claims will come into effect from tomorrow.
It also claims that shops will only be opened for a certain amount of time each day, the army will enforce this measure, and that certain products should be stockpiled.
A Defence Forces spokesperson said that “there’s no truth to that”.
It’s important to note that in Italy and Spain, where lockdowns have been announced by the government after huge surges in confirmed Covid-19 cases, people are being told not to congregate in the streets or not to meet at one another’s homes – but shops, bakeries, groceries, and pharmacies are still open and stocked.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said that “a number” of people called him about this second lockdown message last night. He said that it was false, and spread “deliberately to cause panic”.
“Be careful with where you get your news from because unfortunately there are people spreading false rumours,” he said on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
The number of people who called me last night to ask whether the country was going to go into lockdown 11 o’clock this morning because of rumours that were spread on social media deliberately I might add, by people trying to cause panic.
“People need to think carefully about how and where they get information and advice in times like we are now living in,” he added.
He said that it was a challenge for people to filter through the amount of information out there about Covid-19.
“One of the challenges here for the public is that there is an information overload,” Coveney said, listing the number of media appearances made my ministers over the weekend.
Given that, he urged people to get their information from official sources.
****
There is a lot of false news and scaremongering being spread in Ireland at the moment about coronavirus. Here are some practical ways for you to assess whether the messages that you’re seeing – especially on WhatsApp – are true or not.
STOP, THINK AND CHECK
Look at where it’s coming from. Is it someone you know? Do they have a source for the information (e.g. the HSE website) or are they just saying that the information comes from someone they know? A lot of the false news being spread right now is from people claiming that messages from ‘a friend’ of theirs. Have a look yourself – do a quick Google search and see if the information is being reported elsewhere.
Secondly, get the whole story, not just a headline. A lot of these messages have got vague information (“all the doctors at this hospital are panicking”) and don’t mention specific details. This is often – but not always a sign – that it may not be accurate.
Finally, see how you feel after reading it. A lot of these false messages are designed to make people feel panicked. They’re deliberately manipulating your feelings to make you more likely to share it. If you feel panicked after reading something, check it out and see if it really is true.
TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Coveney showing true leadership over the last few weeks he should be the next Taoiseach
@MyBrokenKnees: By relaying messages and updates from the medical experts? The politicians are just like us during this disaster. Okay, they would know more about what’s going on behind the scenes but that’s as far as they go.
In saying that, I think all our politicians across all parties have behaved very well during this crisis. They have left their differences to one side as the country navigates through this crisis. That should be noted.
@David Corrigan: Mary and her Sinners have crawled back into their holes and done nothing to reassure the nation.
@MyBrokenKnees: what would you expect them to do when they have no power. SF councillor Maire Devine has re-register as a nurse to help healthcare staff. You’re a troll, a sad one at that, set up an account to jibe at SF. Get a life
@MyBrokenKnees: Clearly your not in control of your senses.
@MyBrokenKnees: Mary Lou,SF health spokesperson,and other party leaders and their health spokespersons, Government and their medical advisors and other experts all meet together for regular meetings every week and get all the same information and also have input in the meetings.This was originally suggested by Mary Lou!!
So that’s what SF has been doing here!!
In the North SF Michelle O Neill wants schools to close and trying to encourage Arlene Foster to agree!
@MyBrokenKnees: Two days before they announced the closure of the school’s and colleges it was widely stated on WhatsApp and Facebook, Crooked Coveney and the boyos were out in force saying it wasn’t true.
@Seanboy: how is it crooked? These things are being done in managed stages on the advice of professionals. It’s not true until they announce it. That’s how it works. It’s how it always works. Any company making a big move will deny until they announce it.
@Dave O’Keeffe: So Ireland is a big company now ? Crooked in my eyes is lying to people who are depending on you for honesty.
@MyBrokenKnees: and leotard and mick are crawling into bed together after saying they wouldn’t using the virus as an excuse.
@MyBrokenKnees: stupid comment
Surprised there isn’t a run on tinfoil given the amount of conspiracy theories I’ve seen this week.
@Pete Gilmartin: and you can blame SiCo for that too . Slipping info out on the hoof.
Spent his ministerial career lying to his local electorate and tells the people now to fall in with his vague and irregular info.
Meglomaniac
@Eugene Walsh: Disgraceful comment.
@Máirtín Ó Conghaile: awww, thanks .
@Eugene Walsh: really is a ridiculous comment. Coveney is to blame for people making up random shite? No, the people that make it up are responsible.
@Dave O’Keeffe: now you’re making up rubb1sh I never said . I wouldn’t believe that man before during or after any event, or his cohorts. Take responsibility as an informed individual and source and deduce the info for yourself. If you cannot do that, go listen to SiCo
@Eugene Walsh: you literally said you can blame Coveney for people making up conspiracy theories. It’s still there in black and white. Take responsibility as an informed individual and source and deduce for yourself.
@Dave O’Keeffe: literally
@Eugene Walsh: yes, having trouble with the word? Here is an explanation: in a literal way, synonym exactly example 1. The word “planet” literally means “wandering body. 2. ”When I told you to “get lost” I didn’t expect to be taken literally. 3. Idioms usually cannot be translated literally into another language.
@Eugene Walsh: do us all a favour and go lick a park bench….good man
@Eugene Walsh: Unfair!Simon Coveney information is from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET),they advise Government and Government passes on that advice!
I’ve a friend of a friend who has been told by management that Harvey Norman are not having a sale this weekend which means the country is going to be placed under martial law
@Erich Butler: I heard yesterday they were closing for two weeks..
@James Lane: The Irish army lockdown? Are you for real, those lads couldn’t lock down a wheelbarrow.
@Erich Butler: that’s it if Harvey has no sale its curtains
So like check the HSE page that wasn’t updated for two days? Or the news articles that are re-reporting figures from yesterday??
@JusticeForJoe:lol
@JusticeForJoe: nah. go with the whastapp messages instead. thats makes more sense
@Delboy79: My point is Coveney & Co should be keeping us a lot better informed. I’m not falling for the Whatsapp crap myself but that doesn’t spare me from the panic effects created around me
@Delboy79: My neighbour’s, cousins, wifes, mothers dog Walker is related to a guard and said that they are doing something… blah blah, hysteria. Let’s all buy 200 rolls of toilet paper and build forts in our living rooms. He also said they are running out of Ukuleles, so better grab them while they are still in stock. Also sticking a hairdryer up your nose is the cure!
@JusticeForJoe: go tell your local TD that then. you think moaning about it it on here will make any difference. sake!!
@Delboy79: You realise this is a comments section and the point is for an expression of opinion, yeah?
@JusticeForJoe: You were moaning,. And you know it. you didn’t express an opinion you posted sarky as F**k questions
@Delboy79: Listen to yourself. Do you understand what irony is?
We’re directed to one official source for information during a viral pandemic that’s spreading rapidly across the world and we’re left to rely on two-day old information.
A lot has changed in those two days and the vacuum for real information is what feeds the misinformation. Stop talking if you don’t understand the situation.
@JusticeForJoe: HSE website is updated today!They already gave the basic advice and they update the advice when needed.
Eg:’Self-isolation and limited social interaction’.hse.ie
Fly home by Thursday is a direct message that something is gng to happen from then on
@pat murphy: more spurious rubbish. He already said that Ryanair and Aerlingus had confirmed they will put on additional flights until Thursday but had looked further out than that. That’s the reason for Thursday – at least read stuff
@pat murphy: Maybe because it’s the Spanish who will be locking down airports?
Soooo…. Chuck Norris hasn’t got the coronavirus? And the coronavirus hasn’t gone into quarantine for two weeks???
@Eugene Tyson: You will probably need to sit down before I tell you the truth Eugene.
@Eugene Tyson: Chuck Norris does not get coronovirus, coronovirus gets Chuck Norris
This is the negative side of Social Media. For goodness sake listen to the experts and not anonymous messages on WhatsApp. These messages are frightening for everyone.
Credit to The Journal for clarifying that Monday is today. It is this clarity and attention to minutiae that is needed in these times.
The panic is coming from not being locked down yet.
@Adam Conroy: yeah, because that wouldn’t cause panic or give people more time to come up with this shite
These messages circulating on social media are very upsetting to families and the elderly. The perpetrators should be tracked down and prosecuted.
@John O’Brien:
And anyone who forwards them on should also be prosecuted. If you receive one from someone you know, reply to them with a bollocking
More idiots and fear mongers. I have no idea what they have to gain by inventing and circulating this stuff.
I also have no idea why others are so quick to forward it without verifying the source of it.
Please cop on.
@Dara O’Brien: to be fair, I forwarded it to all my elderly relatives with a detailed explanation of why it wasn’t true just in case they got it from somewhere else
@Dave O’Keeffe: What was your explanation?
Blocked one person for sharing a WhatsApp message about lockdown, not understanding that she was contributing to panic by sharing it and finally, when all that was pointed out to her, she laughed. Laughed. This is a mother and grandmother we’re talking about, not a kid. So many clueless adults out there.
Trust the Government ???? NEVER
@Tony Kennedy: You’re right Tony, trust WhatsApp instead.
Unless the message comes directly from the horse’s mouth – IGNORE!
@Tom Bomb: A talking horse?
@Niall Hollywood: Mr Ed is back…
@Niall Hollywood: Mr Ed..
We don’t need fake stories to have panic. What is happening in reality is scary enough if you have a compromised immune system or a loved one with one. The projected figures are staggering so actually not having lockdown is scarier
@Nell foran: carefully managed steps.
The media caused the panic, trying to deflect it onto social media. Can see them going after social media bigtime after this.
The defence forces numbers have been gutted in the last 20 years. There’s only about 10,000 in total including the reserves. There’s about 1,000 deployed overseas so in reality there’s only 9,000 on standby.
With those numbers I’d imagine a full military lockdown would not be really possible and whatever is being planned is probably to assist the Gardai to prevent looting etc.
@Stephen Woods: In addition the defence forces can fill/supplement roles in other essential services such as the ambulance service , fire brigade, blood bikes and other essential logistics.
We have to be sensible and follow all advice we’re given by Government as they’re just passing on the experts advice
And then on Tuesday….!!!!
Coveney has to be the most useless minister we have, after Harris
@Divad Nayr: tweet tweet tweet
I’ve received numerous messages like that over the last wee or two, I received two yesterday alone. In all cases, I pointed out that the messages are nothing more than spam.
The phone networks (for text messages) and WhatApps should trace the original of the messages and inform the Gardai.
The person or persons should be prosecuted.
I agree but
You knew it was fake when the plan involved encouraging people to gather outside shops and cutting their opening hours. If anything they’d be extended
Johnson government denounced for COVID-19 “herd immunity” policy
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/16/herd-m16.html
@PV Nevin:
You have much bigger problems in your life than COVID-19 if you are taking your news from the “World Socialist Web Site”
They don’t even know that “website” is one word. Get a grip.
When your actually think about it, some idiot sat down and typed that first message, then was shared by other idiot’s.
This behaviour has caused stress and fear to vulnerable people. Tracing and prosecution of the creators is the only way to combat this.
Can’t escape these rumours. Even my mother is telling me she heard them from this and that. As someone with an anxiety disorder, it’s been getting to me.
@Rei: when you hear one just check the official website for verification. If it’s not there it’s not happening. This bit won’t help your anxiety but it’s the truth, just becaise something hasn’t been verified yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen and a lockdown is still a possibility. Prepare for one calmly and then if it doesn’t happen no loss.
@Rei: Don’t listen to rumours!
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET)advices Government and Government passes on their information and advice for the public what to do at different stages of the spread of Convid-19.NPHET also follow advices from WHO and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)Not only that ,all the leaders of the political parties,their health spokespersons, Government and the experts who advice Government plus other experts meet weekly to get information and have input.
There is cross party support re handling Convid19 and remember they all have families and many have relatives who are in the vulnerable catergories so they will work well to limit the spread and affects on our loved ones.There will be money for those who can’t work because of restrictions, emergency funding for SMEs,extra resources for hospitals,etc.
So proper information on Gov.ie,HSE.com& during press conferences.
It is reassuring that we have excellent experts here and WHO&ECDC so just follow that advice.We’re in this together,we will get through this together, we have to adhere to advice eg social distancing and hand washing,you’re not alone.
Social media has kept everyone one step ahead.
This is why there is so much toilet paper been sold, as there is so much crap on social media from clowns trying to cause panic. Don’t believe everything you read hear unless it comes from the experts themselves. Say safe.
Emergency law – criminal offence for initiators of fake news – get it stated on the news and traditional media
They should use those big machines that spray out and cleanse the town’s streets, like they have done in china, and have Caronoviris tests given out to every household in Ireland, ( we are only a small country) and manufacturers and factorys will need strict guidlines, and as for the hype, every story that is not hype should have a True or Fake badge above the story that lets the people know what they are reading is true or fake…there is no other way people can work out every story unless the bona fide ones come along with some sort of granted verification.
Surely the source can be traced and action taken against those responsible.
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say