OPINION:
They say being forewarned is being forearmed. Take it to heart.
So, even if you skip the rest, read and jot down this list of con artists — for your sake and the sake of your loved ones.
The following companies have been warned by federal authorities to stop “deceptive and scientifically unsupported” claims about products they’re marketing as coronavirus treatments: Vital Silver, Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd.; N-ergetics; GuruNanda, LLC; Vivify Holistic Clinic; Herbal Amy LLC.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration also warned “The Jim Bakker Show” to stop selling “Silver Sol Liquid” and other products advertised on the show’s website as being able to “totally eliminate” the coronavirus, Market Watch reported Monday on its website.
The FTC and FDA warning letters followed shots across the nonpartisan bow at Attorney General Bill Barr from the lobby group Consumer Brands Association, which urged the Justice Department to stop retailers from jacking up the prices for hand sanitizer, masks and other products essential to the battle against the coronavirus.
Mr. Barr fully understands this health crisis is not the time to propose Americans stock up on duct tape; it’s time to play hardball. So be it.
The public at large is in a sort of panic, reading news about the global pandemic and watching local newscasts to see how closely the potential spread of the COVID-19 hits their state, city, school, retirement home or ZIP code.
It’s all understandable, considering even Pope Francis feels “caged” by the virus, and the Vatican Mass is now live-streamed only. This comes during the Lenten season, no less.
Clergy in other houses of worship are taking precautions, too, especially at Christ Church in Georgetown, whose rector, the Rev. Timothy Cole, is self-quarantined after overseeing communion and services recently for hundreds of parishioners and visitors. Prayers up, please and thanks.
Meanwhile, average Joe and Jane Does are hoarding and looking for anything they can get their hands on during the fight against the coronavirus.
That’s why Mr. Barr and his tentacles must swipe scammers and businesses like Herbal Army, which was hawking a “Coronavirus Protocol” on its website for a cool $155.
An FDA task force is monitoring fraudulent COVID-19 prevention and treatment claims because the agency “considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn told Market Watch. “We have an aggressive surveillance program that routinely monitors online sources for health fraud products, especially during a significant public health issue such as this one.”
Tinctures, pills, salves and CBD oils that can rid your body of the coronavirus sound too good to be true. If you’re using them, stop. If you haven’t started using them, don’t.
They won’t prohibit or get rid of the menacing coronavirus (again, replay the duct tape and terrorists analogy).
Do remember, though, to have faith in science. Prayers and common sense work because being forewarned is being forearmed.
⦁ Deborah Simmons can be contacted at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.
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