Inaccurate
Listicle of “facts” about COVID-19 contains numerous inaccurate and misleading claims
Claim:
“The overall lethality of [COVID-19] (IFR) is about 0.1% to 0.3% and thus in the range of a severe influenza”
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Source: Swiss Policy Research, Anonymous, 2020-03-14 -
MisleadingCurrent COVID-19 mortality rate does not predict the future probability of dying from the disease
Claim:
“Chance of NOT dying from Covid-19: 99.96%”
Source: Facebook, Facebook user, 2020-08-16 -
“Plandemic: Indoctornation” video rehashes debunked claims and conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines
Plandemic is a pseudo-documentary produced by American filmmaker Mikki Willis, whose first instalment was published in May 2020. Featuring an…
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1.7Very highPotential role for T cells in COVID-19 immunity accurately reported in National Geographic article
“The article accurately discusses the recent findings about the presence/relevance of T cell response against COVID-19. Indeed, both arms of adaptive immunity, humoral and cellular, contribute in different ways to the body’s fight against viral infections. What remains to be seen and explored in greater detail is how important the role of antigen-specific T cells is in protecting people from a re-infection or ameliorating the disease symptoms.”
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Flawed reasoningFlawed “study” incorrectly claims that countries adopting hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 experienced reduced mortality rates
Claim:
Large country-randomized controlled trial in 2.7 billion people shows 79.1% lower death rate in COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine
Source: CovidAnalysis, Anonymous, 2020-08-05 -
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InaccurateVaccines undergo strict safety testing before they are licensed for use in the U.S. and many other countries; no validity to the claim of a 33% “death rate” from COVID-19 vaccine
Claim:
“Would you take a vaccine with a 33% death rate to feel safe from a virus with a .06% death rate?”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-07-30 -
InaccurateContrary to claim in viral Facebook post, the flu vaccine does work and certain types of cancers can be cured
Claim:
“Can't make a vaccine that works for influenza. No vaccine for RSV. Can't cure cancer. But they sure as shit can make a vaccine in 6 months for an illness that they STILL don't understand”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-07-27 -
Hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, found ineffective for treating COVID-19 in large clinical trials
Claim:
“Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and zinc cure [COVID-19]”
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-08-04 -
Flawed reasoningWearing masks aims at slowing SARS-CoV-2 circulation, not protecting against a certain death
Claim:
If masks were effective and necessary, non-mask wearers should be dead by now
Source: Facebook, Facebook users, 2020-07-30