The group World Doctors Alliance spreads misinformation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus, and the reliability of diagnostic tests

CLAIM
COVID-19 is a type of flu and is not a pandemic; PCR tests are up to 94% false positive; only 98 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Ireland.

SOURCE: World Doctors Alliance, Doctors For Truth, Facebook, YouTube

Published: 22 Oct 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

COVID-19 is more deadly and more contagious than seasonal flu and may also cause long-lasting damage to survivors

CLAIM
“The coronavirus is no more deadly or dangerous than seasonal flu”

SOURCE: Anonymous, Zero Hedge

Published: 20 Oct 2020

VERDICT

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

SOURCE: Li-Meng Yan, Zenodo, Zero Hedge, The National Pulse

Published: 16 Oct 2020

VERDICT

Mask 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: Jordan Davidson, The Federalist

Published: 14 Oct 2020

VERDICT

Frequent ejaculation might reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, but cannot prevent it completely

CLAIM
“Men must have sex at least 21 times a month to avoid prostate cancer”

SOURCE: Barry Kadi, West Africa Reporters

Published: 09 Oct 2020

VERDICT

Mortality in the U.S. was more than 280,000 higher during the first eight months of 2020 than any of the previous five years over the same period

CLAIM
“U.S. mortalities this year are not materially different from the previous 5 years”

SOURCE: Facebook user, Facebook

Published: 08 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

Mild side effects from flu shots are common; very serious adverse effects are very rare

CLAIM
Flu shots lead to severe or life-threatening conditions; flu shots are unsafe

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook

Published: 05 Oct 2020

VERDICT

COVID-19 vaccines aren’t expected to be available for the public in several weeks, contrary to viral claim on social media

CLAIM
“The Government has released their initial plans to force a vaccine on everyone”; “Three potential vaccines are currently in Stage 3 trials in the United States and could be ready in weeks”

SOURCE: Mac Slavo, SHTFplan, Before it’s news

Published: 04 Oct 2020

VERDICT