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Selena Gomez slams Facebook for spreading misinformation about Covid-19, fans say ‘fake news is like a disease’

In her post, the ‘Feel Me’ hitmaker pointed out how Facebook will be responsible for thousands of deaths if they let the disinformation pass on social media

Selena Gomez is one of the few celebrities who never shies away from calling spade a spade and speaking about the deadly coronavirus, she took to Twitter to sound out her thoughts. The versatile singer-songwriter lashed out at social media giant Facebook for failing to control the spread of misinformation on Covid-19 on its platform.

What did Selena Gomez say?

The 28-year-old crooner took to her official Twitter account where she shared her point of view on Covid-19 misinformation while replying to the tweet of Center For Countering Digital Hate page. In her post, the ‘Feel Me’ hitmaker pointed out how Facebook will be responsible for thousands of deaths if they let the disinformation pass on social media. “Scientific disinformation has and will cost lives. @Facebook said they don’t allow lies about COVID and vaccines to be spread on their platforms. So how come all of this is still happening? Facebook is going to be responsible for thousands of deaths if they don’t take action now!”

The tweet to which Selena had replied consisted of a short video clip where the CEO of Center For Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, was on BBC News talking about the same issue. In the video, Ahmed can be heard saying, “We took a thousand bits of misinformation and got volunteers to report it using the platform’s own reporting systems. And less than 5% of it was taken down. The truth is we’ve been gaslit by the social media companies, they say they’re doing their utmost. But in reality, they’re doing absolutely nothing.”

How did the Internet react?

A lot of social media users were quick to react to Selena’s tweet. While Selena spoke about misinformation, one user killed the irony and tweeted, “I just read on Facebook today on one of pastor Chris Oyakhilome pages am following, and pastor Chris says no one should take the vaccine, it will make you a genetic (modified) human being. If it is true pls becareful and don't take it okay Selena.” Another user expressed, “I still haven’t finished reading all that but i know you spilled queen.” One individual tweeted in her support and said, “Very VERY true! Selena! Algorithms and hate messages are so prevalent on FB. And nothing is being done, Take action now @Facebook before it is too late. Thank you for bringing this up Selena. Adore and love you to bits. We need to stop this before it turns into toxic.” Another added, “She's doing something more important with her time.” One posted, “Welp It depends on whats lies are they're saying about The Vaccines. Because if ppl will do the math... The side effects of taking the vaccine is most likely the same as knowing that youre being affected w/ a certain disease. To put it out there w/o Any Shame.... "HIV.” One shared, “Fake news is like a disease. Social media aside but the saddest part is that we've had a president for the past four years that was a major contributor to this problem. Unbelievable! We need to fight it tooth & nail.”

What’s the latest update on Covid-19 in the US?

A more contagious strain of Covid-19, first detected in the United Kingdom, has been detected in Colorado as Governor Jared Polis and state health officials announced the state and the United States’ first case of the Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7, also dubbed the “Super Covid.” The infected individual is a Colorado man in his 20s who has no travel history to the United Kingdom, making it likely that he got it locally. He is currently in isolation in Elbert County. Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the executive director of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told CBS, “The fact that Colorado has detected this variant first in the nation is a testament to the sophistication of Colorado’s response and the talent of CDPHE’s scientist and lab operations."