Coronavirus: Kourtney Kardashian slammed for spreading Covid-19 face mask conspiracy theory

Kourtney Kardashian has been slammed for posting a conspiracy theory claiming that face masks meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 can cause cancer. Photo / Supplied

Kourtney Kardashian is facing backlash from the medical community for promoting a conspiracy theory claiming face masks meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 can cause cancer.

The reality TV star, who has over 102 million followers, shared a post on Instagram claiming blue surgical face masks are "made of PTFE, a carcinogen made from synthetic fluoride."

"According to Cancer.Org it increases the risk of liver, testicle, pancreas, kidney & breast tumors + ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, preeclampsia and high cholesterol," she wrote.

The TV star shared the unfounded claims on her Instagram account, to over 102 million followers. Photo / Supplied

"High exposure can cause influenza-like symptoms and hemorrhaging in the lungs, leading to suffocation."

Her followers quickly pointed out that she and the rest of the Kardashian clan had traveled to a tropical island for her sister Kim Kardashian's birthday party, where they made staff wear masks.

Members of the medical community have since corrected the TV star.

View this post on Instagram

#wearadamnmask to help spread the word not the virus! 🦠 your turn! @kimkardashian @khloekardashian @krisjenner @addisonraee @allierizzo @rosalia.vt @harryhudson @jenatkinhair #wearadamnmask and post a selfie 😷 I also invite anyone who wants to help encourage others to do the same and #wearadamnmask Thank you @simonhuck and @aliceandolivia for nominating me. 💛

A post shared by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on Jul 2, 2020 at 11:36am PDT

"There is no evidence to support the claim that the presence of PTFE in a mask causes cancer," wrote Dr. William Cance, chief medical and scientific officer of the ACS.

"As a surgical oncologist, I, along with thousands of colleagues in the health-care profession, have been wearing masks for years to protect patients from the spread of infections," he added.

“There is no evidence to support the claim that the presence of PTFE in a mask causes cancer,” Dr. William Cance, chief medical and scientific officer of the ACS

— Marlena (@Marlena_K8) November 3, 2020

"It's one thing for a random people on social media to claim that masks cause cancer... it's another for @kourtneykardash to be doing so on her Instagram stories to >100 million followers. UTTERLY F**KING UNACCEPTABLE," tweeted Dr Joshua Wolrich, an NHS doctor from the UK."

"I'd suggest she stick to lifestyle blogging instead of playing pretend doctor," wrote another follower.

Kourtney Kardashian is just the latest member of her family facing backlash.

Earlier this week, her younger sister Kendall was slammed for her huge 25th birthday party, where attendees weren't wearing masks or social distancing - and last week Kim Kardashian was widely criticised for flying her own guests to a private island amid a pandemic.

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40 and feeling so humbled and blessed. There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter. For my birthday this year, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than with some of the people who have helped shaped me into the woman I am today. Before COVID, I don’t think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment. After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time. We danced, rode bikes, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach and so much more. I realize that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is. #thisis40

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Oct 27, 2020 at 10:59am PDT