Claim reviews
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
COVID-19 is at least an order of magnitude more deadly than seasonal flu, according to current estimates
CLAIM
“COVID-19 [is] less deadly than [seasonal] flu”
SOURCE: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Facebook
Published: 01 Oct 2020
VERDICT