Set down the white powder, Canada, because cocaine does not protect against coronavirus — despite rumours to the contrary.

The alleged "cure" has been circulating on social media for a few weeks now. And incredibly, it actually gained enough traction to get the attention of health officials.

On Sunday, the French Ministry of Health took to Twitter to say, "No, cocaine does not protect against COVID-19."

"It is an addictive drug that causes serious side effects and is harmful to people's health."

#Coronavirus | Désinfox
❌ Non, La cocaïne NE protège PAS contre le #COVID19 .
✅ C’est une drogue addictive provoquant de graves effets indésirables et nocifs pour la santé des personnes.
👉 https://t.co/ajSGwecauL pic.twitter.com/4GZ01Qmg5X

— Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé (@MinSoliSante) March 8, 2020

The French government also reassured citizens that coronavirus isn't transmitted via mosquito bites, and that hand sanitizers don't cause cancer.

Naturally, Canadians had some thoughts on the news.

This Vancouver local was severely disappointed.

Well, there goes MY coping strategy.

— Lili Saintcrow (@lilithsaintcrow) March 10, 2020

While this Edmonton writer demanded more proof.

I mean to be fair there probably haven’t been any studies.

— Dani Paradis (@DaniParadis) March 10, 2020

This Calgary local realized his money had been wasted.

upsetting to find out cocaine doesn’t cure corona virus.. i guess i just wasted like 350 dollars

— sam(89%)// 6’5” legend (@toothluhs) March 10, 2020

While this B.C. resident felt that — if cocaine truly did cure COVID-19 — the whole of Fraser Valley would be just fine.

I was gonna say corona virus isn’t scary at our age as long as you’re healthy but then I remembered 80% of the Fraser valley lives off of cocaine and Pink Whitney

— coleton lundy (@clund_4) March 9, 2020

According to the Washington Post, an investigation by the U.S. State Department found that a shocking 2 million tweets over a three-week period spread coronavirus misinformation.

Facebook is now moderating coronavirus posts in an attempt to help international health officials fight fake news circulating on social media.