Scam Texts and messages about Coronavirus are spreading fear faster than COVID-19. No, the government is not shutting down the grocery stores.
Here’s one scam text that is scaring the heck out of a lot of people who are already nervous up the shutdown of restaurants and large gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Inside word from someone who works in the pentagon – trump is planning to shut down everything tomorrow. Please make sure you have or get food that will last for a week or more. It’s not 100% (we all know how the telephone game works) but I wanted to share with you & make sure you all are set before panic mode hits”
Here’s another example of the message. This time it claims that the President is just about to invoke the Stafford Act.
Messages like these are causing people to flood grocery stores and strip the shelves, making their fellow citizens go without.
Every single state and federal agency has denied these texts.The government is working hard to keep grocery stores and pharmacy running and the supply chain intact. Even in Italy, in the grip of the virus with upwards of 400 deaths a day, groceries and pharmacies remain open.
Interestingly, these rumors came at the same time a massive cyber attack was launched against the Department of Health and Human Services website. The attack was unsuccessful. But now would be a perfect time for America’s enemies to play a few mind games. Don’t fall for it. Here’s a poster from WWII to help put you in the right frame of mind.
