Yahoo Lifestyle 
Kourtney Kardashian spreads COVID-19 mask conspiracy theory
The Kardashians are in hot water yet again after a steam of controversies amid the coronavirus pandemic in the US.
While Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner have already been called out by fans for their lavish parties while millions of people struggle to make end meet, now it’s 41-year-old eldest Kardashian sister, Kourtney’s turn to cop the heat.
It comes after the Poosh founder took to her Instagram account to spread misinformation about the health risks of wearing blue surgical masks.
The reality star caused uproar when she claimed the masks cause cancer, with the American Cancer Society being forced to issue a statement refuting the claims.
Kourtney shared a note to her Instagram stories which read “Those blue masks mandated at grocery stores & airplanes are made of PTFE, a carcinogen made of synthetic fluoride.
RELATED:
“According to Cancer.Org it increases the risk of liver, testicle, pancreas, kidney & breast tumors + ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, preeclampsia and high cholesterol,” read the note shared by Kourtney. “High exposure can cause influenza-like symptoms and hemorrhaging in the lungs, leading to suffocation.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The American Cancer Society was listed as the source of the information, but the message was condemned by a spokesperson for the organisation.
“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 told Yahoo Entertainment.
“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.”
It’s been a week filled with pandemic controversies for the Kardashians. First Kim Kardashian was slammed for flying all her friends and family to a private island to celebrate her 40th birthday in style, then Kendall Jenner was ridiculed online for holding a birthday party in LA which appeared to have no social distancing rules in place.
Khlow Kardashian, who previously tested positive for COVID-19, recently appeared on Ellen where she said: “This year is a frustrating year. I think there’s so many frustrations going on for everybody. But also, it’s her 40th and this is something she really wanted to do for us. It was such a nice thing!”
With extra reporting by Taryn Ryder
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.
