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The first SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans occurred during fall 2019, but not enough evidence exists to confirm a global spread before early 2020

Viruses accumulate mutations in their genomes as they spread from person to person. By comparing the genomes of different SARS-CoV-2 samples collected at different times in different places, and by combining these data with contact tracing data, it is possible to establish the genealogy and mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2, and thereby trace its origin and when and where it spread. Current data indicates that SARS-CoV-2 made its jump from animals to humans sometime during Fall 2019 and had already spread outside of China by January 2020.

Wearing face masks does not cause hypercapnia or affect the immune system

Face masks help to limit contact with infectious droplets which carry pathogens. However, the material used for face masks are still porous enough to allow gas molecules, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, to pass through, and do not significantly impair gas exchange to the point of causing hypercapnia. No scientific evidence supports the claim that the use of face masks weakens the immune system.

Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 may have a higher fatality rate than the flu, but a definitive conclusion requires more studies

Preliminary studies have estimated a wide range of values for the IFR of COVID-19, ranging from 0.2 to 1.6%, which supports the claim that it is more lethal than the flu, which has an IFR of about 0.04%. However, it is difficult to accurately assess IFR in the middle of an outbreak of a previously unstudied disease, due to its unfamiliar clinical features, underestimation of infections, overloaded healthcare facilities, and the lack of effective treatments. Therefore, accurate estimates must wait for the completion of extensive studies worldwide.

Bakersfield physicians underestimate COVID-19 mortality using flawed statistics; wrongly claim sheltering in place causes weak immune system

The doctors wrongly used the number of COVID-19 positive cases in ER patients to extrapolate the prevalence rate of COVID-19 in the population. This caused sampling bias that overestimates the number of infections in the general population and consequently underestimates the COVID-19 mortality rate. Their claim that sheltering in place would lead to a weaker immune system due to less contact with microorganisms is also inaccurate, as even home environments are already seeded with trillions of microbes.

Claim that hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin improves COVID-19 recovery is unsupported at this stage

Clinical trials adhere to strict rules of design and execution. While abiding by these rules calls for lengthier or more complex trials, these rules are necessary to produce reliable results that can be used to conclusively identify effective therapies. Among the important rules of the scientific method, control groups are essential in order to provide an objective reference point. Contrary to numerous sensationalized headlines, many recent studies on the effects of hydroxychloroquine used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat COVID-19 have been inconclusive due to flawed study design.

Little to no evidence that smoking protects against COVID-19; may increase risk of complications instead

Preliminary studies showing a disproportionately low percentage of smokers among COVID-19 patients have led to suggestions that smoking protects against COVID-19. However, these studies have not demonstrated a causal association between smoking and a reduced risk of either SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease severity. Much more research is needed before any causal association can be established. Furthermore, the established science indicates that smoking increases the risk of developing respiratory infections and complications in general.

Eating alkaline food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19

Scientists have not determined the ideal pH environment for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the cells of the tissues that SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets, including the lungs and intestines, maintain a very tightly controlled pH both inside and out in order to maintain cellular metabolism and proper enzyme activity. Altering pH in cells and tissues beyond a very narrow range would likely result in death.