Claim reviews
COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause herpes infections; a possible association with the reactivation of herpes zoster in patients with rheumatic diseases remains unconfirmed
CLAIM
“Herpes infections may be a side effect of a COVID-19 vaccine”
SOURCE: Jackie Salo, Social media users, New York Post, Facebook, Instagram
Published: 26 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Current data from clinical trials offer no reliable evidence that ivermectin is effective against COVID-19; better-quality clinical trials are needed to resolve this question
CLAIM
“Ivermectin is the only thing we have that treats COVID at all stages […] Ivermectin substantially reduces deaths from COVID and prevents infections”; 50 studies “show ivermectin is not just effective, but highly effective”
SOURCE: Craig Kelly, Tess Lawrie, Sky News
Published: 25 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Using face masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19 and doesn’t lead to oxygen deficiency or carbon dioxide buildup in the blood
CLAIM
“Both medical and non-medical face masks are ineffective to reduce transmission and infectivity of COVID-19”; “long-term consequences of wearing face masks on health are detrimental [including hypoxemia and hypercapnia]”
SOURCE: JD Rucker, Baruch Vainshelboim, American Conservative Movement
Published: 23 Apr 2021
VERDICT
DARPA developed a hydrogel sensor which monitors blood for infections at early stages, not a microchip for COVID-19 identification or location tracker
CLAIM
“Pentagon develops microchip that detects COVID under your skin”; Pentagon microchip can track your location
SOURCE: Ben Swann, Truth In Media
Published: 22 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Oral contraceptives have a bigger risk factor for blood clot formation than the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines
CLAIM
“Birth control has a far greater risk of blood clots than any Covid-19 vaccine so far”
SOURCE: Carter Sherman, Vice News
Published: 20 Apr 2021
VERDICT
The World Health Organization doesn’t recommend ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment; the drug’s safety and effectiveness remains uncertain in COVID-19 patients
CLAIM
“WHO data shows [that] ivermectin reduces COVID-19 mortality by 81%, but they won’t recommend it?”
SOURCE: Joe Martino, Collective Evolution
Published: 19 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms; other factors may determine an individual’s susceptibility to infection, but the microorganism is still the cause
CLAIM
“…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.”
SOURCE: Lisa Feldman Barrett, Facebook
Published: 16 Apr 2021
VERDICT
No evidence that “keto diet pills” are effective for long-term weight management; Shark Tank judges didn’t endorse a “keto diet pill”
CLAIM
Ketogenic-based supplements let you lose weight while sleeping; Shark Tank judges backed “keto diet pill”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Facebook
Published: 15 Apr 2021
VERDICT
COVID-19 vaccines were developed in record time due to scientists’ good understanding of similar coronaviruses and unprecedented investments from companies and governments
CLAIM
“No vaccine for HIV after 40 years of research. No vaccine for the common cold [...] A virus mysteriously appears and within a year a vaccine is created and we are all expected to take it.”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Instagram
Published: 14 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Compensation for vaccine injury claims can be awarded even without proof that the vaccine caused the injury
CLAIM
“Since 1986, [the U.S. Government] has paid over $4.5 billion dollars for injury claims to individuals damaged by vaccines. We all wish that vaccines were 100% safe, but the truth is, they’re not.”
SOURCE: Health Choice Connecticut, Facebook
Published: 14 Apr 2021
VERDICT