Dec 18, 2020
VIENNA — Misinformation about COVID-19 is spread worldwide.
In Austria, a right-wing parliamentarian caused an uproar after performing a COVID-19 test on Coca-Cola during a Dec. 14 speech.
The test, conducted in the Austrian Parliament, came out positive, which Michael Schnedlitz, member of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), claimed as evidence the government’s mass testing wastes taxpayer money. His party has been critical of the country’s coronavirus restrictions and testing regime.
The manufacturers of the DIAQUICK COVID-19 Ag test, local pharmaceutical company DIALAB, quickly countered Schneditz’s results, noting he used the test incorrectly.
“Before making such embarrassing statements, it might have been a good idea for the honored member of parliament to occupy himself a little with chemistry,” Vanessa Koch, DIALAB product management officer, said in a written statement.