Incorrect
Eating alkaline food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19
Claim:
The pH for the coronavirus varies from 5.5 to 8.5. What we need to do to defeat the coronavirus is to consume more alkaline foods above the virus’ pH level.
Jessica Johnson
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Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-04-15 -
Partially correct
Some evidence suggests that vitamin C and D supplementation might prevent or treat respiratory infections, but their effectiveness is still being tested with COVID-19
Claim:
Vitamins C and D are now finally being adopted in the conventional treatment of SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin C at extremely high doses acts as an antiviral drug, actually killing viruses; vitamin D helps the body fight SARS-CoV-2 infection and can cut infection risk.
Source: Mercola, Joseph Mercola, 2020-04-02 -
Mostly inaccurate
Viral video mixes truth about COVID-19 with a long list of ineffective treatments and preventions
Claim:
Coronavirus does not cause a runny nose; is killed by temperatures above 26 degrees; causes lung fibrosis within days of infection; can be diagnosed by holding your breath for 10 seconds; and can be cured in the early stages by drinking plenty of water.
Source: Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life, Steven Aitchison, 2020-03-21 -
Inaccurate
Gargling salt water or vinegar may soothe a sore throat, but it will not eliminate COVID-19
Claim:
Gargling with warm water and salt or vinegar eliminates the virus [SARS-CoV-2]
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-03-14 -
Inaccurate
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is real; the story that claims otherwise is a work of fiction
Claim:
There is no ‘coronavirus’
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-03-01 -
Misleading
Claim that not all smokers develop lung discoloration ignores severe health risks linked to smoking
Claim:
The black lung lie: It’s the widespread belief that smokers’ lungs turn black.
Source: cfrankdavis.wordpress.com, Frank Davis, 2012-08-06 -
Misleading
HIV drug Truvada linked to kidney damage and bone density loss, but risks are low and usually outweighed by the drug’s benefits
Claim:
You took Truvada to help protect against HIV, not increase your risk of kidney or bone problems.
Source: A Case for Women, Anonymous, 2019-07-23 -
Unsupported
Bone spurs occasionally form at the base of human skulls, but their growth has not been linked to the use of handheld devices
Claim:
‘Horns’ are growing on young people’s skulls. Phone use is to blame, research suggests.
Source: The Washington Post, Isaac Stanley-Becker, 2019-06-25 -
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Science Feedback has received accreditation from the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at The Poynter Institute. Previously accredited based on its…
