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Reviews of articles by: Facebook users
CLAIM REVIEWS
The CDC reports more than 2.9 million deaths in the U.S. in 2020; there were at least 377,000 more deaths in 2020 compared to previous years
CLAIM
the number of deaths in America in 2020 was not greater than that in 2019
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook, Twitter
Published: 07 Jan 2021
VERDICT
Nashville bomber died in the explosion, not from COVID-19
CLAIM
“Nashville bomber died from COVID-19”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 05 Jan 2021
VERDICT
The virus that causes COVID-19 exists and was identified and isolated multiple times by independent research groups
CLAIM
“The COVID-19 virus does not exist”; “The virus has never been isolated”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 01 Jan 2021
VERDICT
Nurse who fainted after getting Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has a history of fainting episodes; does not mean the vaccine is unsafe
CLAIM
Nurse faints after getting a COVID-19 vaccine
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 21 Dec 2020
VERDICT
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is comprised of ingredients standard in many vaccines, including mRNA, lipids, sucrose, and salts
CLAIM
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine contains mRNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, lipids, sucrose, and salts.
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 14 Dec 2020
VERDICT
Dozens of clinical trials ongoing to investigate whether vitamin D prevents COVID-19; no firm evidence yet
CLAIM
“Vitamin D insufficiency [...] may account for the majority of COVID-19 deaths”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 04 Dec 2020
VERDICT
COVID-19 vaccine candidates are rigorously tested for safety during clinical trials, unlike thalidomide; misleading to equate the two
CLAIM
“Thalidomide was a rapid approved drug introduced in 1957 to counteract nausea and insomnia in pregnant women. It was [...] withdrawn in 1962 due to malformations in newborns [...] Be very careful with what’s coming.”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook, Twitter
Published: 04 Dec 2020
VERDICT
A 2008 study co-authored by Anthony Fauci did not find that masks caused bacterial pneumonia, contrary to viral social media claim
CLAIM
“Most of the victims of the Spanish flu didn’t die from the Spanish flu. They died from bacterial pneumonia. And the bacterial pneumonia was caused by [...] wearing masks”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Facebook
Published: 06 Nov 2020
VERDICT
Claims that flu cases are used to inflate COVID-19 case counts are misleading, based on inaccurate numbers
CLAIM
“Flu cases down by 95%” between 2019 and 2020 for the weeks 40 to 41; flu is being diagnosed as COVID-19, leading to fewer flu cases being recorded
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 22 Oct 2020
VERDICT
The 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 users, Facebook
Published: 05 Oct 2020
VERDICT
