Pompeo Blames China, Russia, Iran For Spreading "Disinformation" On COVID-19
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Russia, China and Iran for spreading "disinformation" on COVID-19 and carrying out coordinated efforts to "disparage" American attempts towards containing the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Pompeo described the disinformation campaigns as being "pretty diffused" and urged Americans to ensure that they are getting their information from a reliable source and not a "bad actor" trying to create and flow information that they know is wrong.
"I wanted to talk about the disinformation the people are seeing both on Twitter and around the world. Some of it coming from governments, some of it coming from other individuals," he told reporters.
He identified three countries for these "disinformation campaigns".
"It is pretty defused, unfortunately, but we have certainly seen it come from places like China and Russia and Iran where there are coordinated efforts to disparage what America is doing and our activity to do all of the things that President (Donald) Trump has set in motion here," Mike Pompeo said.
"I did just urge everyone as they are seeing information that at one time suggested somehow this virus emanated from the United States Army, this information about lockdowns that are taking place, every American, indeed people all around the world should ensure that where they turn to for information is a reliable source and not a bad actor trying to create and flow information that they know is wrong," he added.
By Friday evening, a total of 230 people had died in the US due to the coronavirus pandemic. The number of confirmed cases has risen to over 18,000, an increase of over 10,000 in less than 50 hours. Coronavirus cases have been reported in all 50 US States as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Globally, the death toll from the virus has risen to 11,397, with more than 275,427 cases reported in over 160 countries and territories.
Source: ndtv.com