Mother and child drank urine for four days after fake news claimed it cures Covid-19

By Julia Gregory, local democracy reporter

A mother and her children drank urine for four days after she was sent fake news suggesting it was a “cure for Covid”, according to a health watchdog.

Her main source of information about the virus was a friend or relative who forwarded other people’s recommendations.

She told investigators from Healthwatch Central West London that: “Some of the videos she received discussed drinking your own urine each morning as a cure for  Covid-19.”

The woman who is not named in the investigators’ reports “said that she and her children did that for four days”.

The mother also explained that she believed “vaccinations would be introduced that would be dangerous for her family”.

She said she trusts traditional cures instead.”

Olivia Clymer, the CEO of Healthwatch Central West London and the report’s co-author, reported the comments saying:: “We were told of a stigma associated with contracting coronavirus, and also of the fake remedies and conspiracies shared via WhatsApp.

“This, coupled with a lack of trust in ‘official’ channels of information, presents a problem that needs highlighting and addressing.”

Healthwatch teamed up with French African Welfare Association (FAWA), LEGS and Breath Easy Westminster, to talk to more than 100 people about their experience of life during the pandemic, with an additional focus on Black and minority ethnic communities.

The report is due to be discussed by Westminster City Council’s adult and public health scrutiny committee. (Thurs Feb 18).

FAWA highlighted “the prevalence of alternative information shared via WhatsApp”.

“This information often suggests false, alternative treatments which have no scientific and empirical background,” said Ms Clymer.

It comes as Westminster Council and health campaigners are fighting back against misinformation which they fear is putting people off  getting the coronavirus vaccine.

People also told Healthwatch about the social stigma they experienced if relatives had died of coronavirus.

The report also laid bare the amount of digital exclusion as lockdown saw more and more services offered online.

“Unfamiliarity with technology, or a lack of access to it, can have knock-on effects,” it reads.

People talked about  “stress, isolation and uncertainty” when using such technology.

One member of LEGS, an exercise group for people who had a stroke or neurological condition said: “I am not young, so using all this new technology is very stressful for me.”

Others however said phone or video GP  appointments were helpful, although some resorted to the phone for help with tech.

And people were also experiencing mental health issues – including feeling very isolated.

Fear of catching Covid was the largest cause of stress, and  63 per cent or 45 people, questioned by Breath Easy Westminster said it was a huge concern.

One man told  FAWA that “self-isolation affected him badly. He said he found himself sometimes screaming at home because of the anxiety, often for no reason at all.” He was awaiting an appointment with a psychiatrist when he was interviewed.

Ms Clymer said: “What has really stood out in what we are hearing from residents is how many people have noted minor deteriorations in their mental health.”

Healthwatch is continuing its research into how the pandemic is affecting people’s lives and is planning more discussion groups.