Man ARRESTED for falsely claiming to have coronavirus on social media

A Texas man has been arrested after he lied about having coronavirus in a social media post.

Michael Lane Brandin, 23, said in a Facebook post that he tested positive at Tyler County Hospital on Friday

The post now appears to have been removed. 

‘In a comment on the post, Brandin advised that he was informed by medical professionals in Tyler County that the virus had become airborne,’ police said in a statement.

It caused panic on phone lines for both the hospital and authorities. 

Multiple people contacted the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office about the claim someone in their county had been stricken with the contagious illness.

It was as the COVID-19 pandemic reached new heights last week and states started moves to close down public places as the number of infections and related deaths rapidly increased across the country.

Police got in touch with the man who lives in Woodville, East Texas on Tuesday.

After County Judge Jacques Blanchette issued an arrest warrant, Brandin turned himself to police later that day. He was jailed on $1,000 bond. Reported by Dailymail

He received a class A misdemeanor charge of false alarm or report.

He has claimed he was conducting a social experiment when he shared a post claiming to have COVID-19.

‘Brandin advised deputies his post was to make a point that you cannot believe everything you view online,’ cops said