The Flemish government is facing claims of indirectly supporting fake coronavirus news, after it was linked to a bi-monthly magazine blaming the virus on everything from 5G to the flu vaccine.
BioGezond, a self-proclaimed “info magazine about Healthy Living,” first began to tackle the coronavirus in April by offering ‘natural’ ways to strengthen the immune system – including vitamins, elderberries and medicinal mushrooms – before praising extra virgin coconut oil as “effective and safe antiviral against the new coronavirus.”
This, however, was only the start of the claims. By September, the magazine – available in nature and bio shops, wellness centres and alternative therapists across Flanders and Brussels – took a stance on the “nonsensical” and “totally unnecessary” Belgian measures against the virus’ spread.
The magazine’s articles were written by members of ‘De Levensschool vzw’ (“The Life School”), an “academy for integral health care” that came into disrepute several years ago for teaching unscientific cancer therapies. The institute, however, is officially recognised and subsidised by the Flemish government, albeit with the major caveat that funding is not an assessment of the quality of the service provided.
