Pandemic pranks off the table on April Fools' Day COVID19
TAIPEI - It may be the global day for pranks but with the world under assault from the deadly coronavirus pandemic many governments on Wednesday were warning against virus-themed April Fools' jokes -- some even threatening jail.But few are in the mood as the global death toll mounts and billions remain under some form of lockdown.
The deadly outbreak has already been accompanied by a deluge of online misinformation, making it harder for governments to keep their citizens safe.Taiwan, which has been held up as a model for how to tackle an outbreak, warned people who spread false rumors that they faced up to three years in jail and a TW$3 million fine .
"Zongchai asks you not to make any pranks on the outbreak. Please be considerate to the frontline workers on epidemic prevention," one post on the ministry's Facebook page said on Wednesday next to a photo of the popular shiba inu. "It's against the law to fake having COVID-19 this April Fools' Day," the government said on Twitter.
In India, where disinformation -- especially on Whatsapp -- remains a pervasive problem, politicians made similar appeals.
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