“All US citizens are entitled to $700 USD per week to stay at home to avoid the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus, starting from March 17.”
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No, Americans aren’t getting $700 weekly checks starting March 17 because of coronavirus
If Your Time is short
- Americans could receive a check for $1,000 or more as part of an economic stimulus package amid the coronavirus.
- A Facebook post about weekly $700 checks is a hoax.
As part of a stimulus package aimed at relieving the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration wants to send cash to Americans. That means you could get a check for $1,000 or more in the coming weeks, an idea that has drawn bipartisan support since Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called for every American adult to get a check for that amount "immediately."
But as Congress hammers out the details, there’s no discussion of weekly $700 checks, as a recent Facebook post claims.
"All US citizens are entitled to $700 USD per week to stay at home to avoid the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus, starting from March 17, 2020," says the post, which was published that day. "The government grant pay is accessible to all no matter employment status."
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This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
It directs readers to a link, saying they should read the "full article here on how to claim" the money. But the link leads to an image of a gorilla giving the middle finger.
Here’s another F-word. We rate this post False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, March 17, 2020
The Washington Post, White House expresses support for immediate cash payments to Americans as part of coronavirus stimulus package, March 17, 2020
The Washington Post, Americans are very likely to get $1,000 (or more) checks. Here’s what you need to know, March 17, 2020
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No, Americans aren’t getting $700 weekly checks starting March 17 because of coronavirus
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