Coronavirus-Related Posts the Subject of Lane University Center Facebook Story

Lane University Center’s Facebook page reportedly reposted two controversial posts to the page’s story from an unaffiliated page on April 22, 2020.  As is the intended function of Facebook stories, these reposts remained on the page for 24 hours and then subsequently disappeared.  

The substance of these posts discussed an individual’s opinions regarding the apparent legitimacy of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and resulting global pandemic. With nearly 1,200 followers of this Facebook page, it is unknown how many of these followers actually saw the reposts on the page’s story. 

The first of the two stories read, “…When the state tells you it’s safe to go to Home Depot to buy a sponge but dangerous to go and buy a flower, it’s about your health…,” while the second reads “…I’m not saying COVID-19 isn’t real… but pay attention folks, there is more going on here.” The original author of the reposts has no known affiliation to the Lane University Center, nor to Frostburg State University.

Allen Flanagan, Director of the Lane University, said in a statement to The Bottom Line: “We were informed late this afternoon (May 8, 2020) that two Facebook stories from an unaffiliated person were shared on the Lane University Center Facebook Page on April 22. The stories, which expressed opinions about the COVID-19 crisis, disappeared after 24 hours, as stories are designed to do. We are working to determine how this occurred, as it appears that this person has no connection any of the page’s editors. The opinions expressed are in no way official Lane Center opinions.”