Unsupported
No evidence that coronavirus genetic sequences were fabricated, contrary to preprint by Li-Meng Yan and colleagues
Claim:
Fabricated genetic sequences were used to support the hypothesis that the virus arose naturally
Flora Teoh
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Source: Zero Hedge, The National Pulse, Zenodo, Li-Meng Yan, 2020-10-08 -
Flawed reasoningMask use does not increase risk of COVID-19 as viral social media posts claim
Claim:
More people who wear masks become sick with COVID-19 compared to non-mask wearers, therefore masks don’t work or are making us ill
Source: The Federalist, Jordan Davidson, 2020-10-12 -
-1.3LowNew York Post article makes speculative, unsupported claim that mutation could enable the virus causing COVID-19 to evade handwashing and mask-wearing
“The preprint that the article focuses on actually says nothing about the most egregious claim made in the article: that the virus is evolving to get around hand-washing, masks, etc. This comes from a quote from someone who’s not an author on the preprint, giving an opinion about the preprint…on a topic not covered by the preprint.”
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Flawed reasoningThe flu shot is an effective measure to protect people from flu, and enhances protection when used with face masks
Claim:
“Seriously if the ‘mask’ protects me and you from [COVID-19] and we've been walking around in them for months, why would anyone need a flu shot right now?”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-09-21 -
InaccurateThe total number of COVID-19 deaths thus far exceeds the number of abortions over two days worldwide
Claim:
“More babies will die by abortion in two days than all the coronavirus deaths thus far”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-09-18 -
MisleadingCOVID-19 has caused many deaths due to high virus transmission, despite its relatively small infection fatality ratio
Claim:
COVID-19 mortality rates are very low, therefore COVID-19 is not an important public health concern; if you are 70+ years old, you have a 0.054% chance of dying from COVID-19
Source: Facebook, Fox News, Facebook users, 2020-09-24 -
n/aNeutralTelegraph article describing the hypothesis that face masks can variolate a population receives mixed reviews on its scientific accuracy
“The Telegraph headline is obviously misleading but the subheading is accurate. Masks don’t give immunity; rather, the argument is that infections are milder or asymptomatic and allow immunity without severe disease. The article is essentially true to the NEJM commentary, however a reader could become confused and think that the article suggests masks give you COVID-19 immunity.”
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MisleadingTuberculosis, the flu, and COVID-19 differ in disease prevalence and burden, requiring different public health responses
Claim:
“Why don’t we wear masks for [tuberculosis]? Because CNN hasn’t instructed you to.”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-09-17 -
MisleadingCloth masks are effective at reducing virus transmission because it spreads in respiratory droplets, which are larger than smoke particles and the pores in fabric
Claim:
Cloth masks cannot block smoke particles which are larger than viruses, so masks cannot stop virus transmission
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-08-31 -
Flawed reasoningMisinterpreted New York Times report leads to false claim that the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is inflated by up to 90%
Claim:
COVID-19 case numbers are inflated due to PCR test sensitivity; “90% of positive COVID-19 tests should be negative”
Source: The Blaze, One America News Network, Liz Wheeler, Steve Deace, 2020-09-02
