Vodka, baking soda and garlic: “Folk” remedies against fear

Abstract

This article discusses vernacular methods of prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection - from February to May 2020, users of the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet were very active in sharing texts with such advice. The author describes the most popular “folk” remedies, explains the logic behind ascribing healing properties to certain substances, and traces the origins of some texts with “medical” advice. Among the latter one can find the so called “breathing test” for coronavirus, diagnosing COVID-19 by types of cough, hot water, baking soda and vodka as disinfectants, treatment with food such as garlic, onions, ginger and lemons. Furthermore, the author examines the structure of the texts with vernacular healing advice and the rhetorical techniques that enable them to convince people of the effectiveness of “folk” remedies and the need to disseminate information about them. These three rhetorical techniques can be described as “it will be no trouble to you”, “I address you, people of Earth”, “pass it on - save a life”. Analysis of messages with “folk remedies” and pseudo-medical advice spreading due to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that “medical” remedies against COVID-19 trace back to traditional folk remedies or to texts generated before the current pandemic and in relation to other diseases. Most of the remedies are international, and the success of their transmission depends on certain internal and external factors. “Folk” remedies tend to compilate with both medical advice from authorized sources and conspiracy theories - apparently, one piece of information “supports” another due to their copresence.