Morgan Freeman never told people to ‘stop taking tests’ for COVID-19
A viral quote meme offering dangerous health advice presented as common sense guidance includes a photo of actor Morgan Freeman. But the actor never said this. Let’s take a look at the facts.
Actor Morgan Freeman did not say that people should “stop taking tests” for COVID-19 and simply stay home if they don’t feel well, as this meme suggests.
This quote comes from a Jan. 4 tweet posted by conservative political commentator Matt Walsh.
This is not reliable medical advice.
People who have COVID-19 can be asymptomatic and “feel fine,” but still infect others.
NewsLit takeaway
Falsely attributing political messages to popular celebrities is a common tactic used by peddlers of disinformation to help their messages gain wider acceptance and reach. When you see a controversial message of any kind attributed to — or associated with — any celebrity, always proceed with caution, and be especially wary of claims involving well-liked figures with broad appeal.
Featured Fact-Checks
- “No, Morgan Freeman Isn’t Telling People to Stop Taking COVID-19 Tests” (Dan Evon, Snopes).