Claim reviews
Study in Vietnam showed that Delta infection results in a higher viral load compared to earlier strains, not that vaccinated people are more infectious than unvaccinated people
CLAIM
“vaccinated individuals carry 251 times the load of COVID-19 viruses in their nostrils compared to the unvaccinated”
SOURCE: Peter McCullough, Children’s Health Defense
Published: 26 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated its efficacy and safety in several stages of clinical trials before been authorized for emergency use, and therefore isn’t experimental
CLAIM
“Today the FDA announced they approved a drug whose Phase III clinical trials are not expected to be completed for two more years”
SOURCE: Benjamin Benulis, Facebook, Instagram
Published: 26 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Janci Chunn Lindsay’s claims that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe are inaccurate and unsupported by scientific evidence
CLAIM
COVID-19 vaccines will cause blood clotting, fertility problems, and immune escape
SOURCE: Janci Chunn Lindsay, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Published: 23 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Video shared by Sebastian Gorka Facebook page shows nurse making false and unsubstantiated claims about ivermectin, COVID-19 PCR tests, and COVID-19 vaccine safety
CLAIM
Ivermectin is an effective COVID-19 treatment; COVID-19 PCR tests lead to false positives; COVID-19 vaccines aren’t working
SOURCE: Nicole Whitley, America First With Dr. Sebastian Gorka
Published: 20 Aug 2021
VERDICT
U.S. prison releases complemented other strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons, including face masks
CLAIM
Masks don’t work; prisoners were released instead of being given masks
SOURCE: Facebook Users , Facebook
Published: 16 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Face masks can filter small airborne particles, including respiratory droplets, and are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19
CLAIM
Science debunks the use of face masks to stop viruses like COVID-19
SOURCE: Byram Bridle, Liz Wheeler, Net Nuance, The Liz Wheeler Show
Published: 14 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Compared to unvaccinated people, vaccinated individuals are more protected against the Delta variant
CLAIM
“the CDC now admits that being ‘fully vaccinated’ does not actually fight the ‘delta variant,’ but instead contributes to more infections”
SOURCE: Ethan Huff, Natural News
Published: 13 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Family physician Daniel Stock repeated previously debunked misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and control strategies in a Mount Vernon School Board Meeting
CLAIM
Face masks don’t reduce the spread of respiratory infections; COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective, and may lead to more severe disease; ivermectin, vitamin D, and zinc are effective COVID-19 treatments
SOURCE: Daniel Stock, YouTube
Published: 13 Aug 2021
VERDICT
COVID-19 vaccines are a much safer way of acquiring immunity than infection, which requires exposing the person to risks from the disease
CLAIM
Natural immunity is far superior to COVID-19 vaccines
SOURCE: Del Bigtree, David Rosenberg, Israel National News
Published: 09 Aug 2021
VERDICT
New York Magazine article on children’s risks from COVID-19 is accurate, but more context regarding difference in risk between young and older children would be helpful
CLAIM
In children, “the mortality risk from COVID-19 is actually lower than from the flu. The risk of severe disease or hospitalization is about the same”.
SOURCE: David Wallace-Wells, New York Magazine
Published: 09 Aug 2021
VERDICT
