Search Results for covid-19

Instagram reel rehashes old misinformation inaccurately linking autism with vaccines, glyphosate, and MTHFR mutations

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder commonly manifesting in difficulties with social interaction and communication, among other symptoms. Epidemiological studies of hundreds of thousands of children have found no association between childhood vaccination and autism. Variants of the MTHFR gene are common and claims that MTHFR mutations lead to an inability to “detox” from vaccines are false. Reliable scientific evidence about glyphosate’s association with autism is currently lacking, although more research in this area is needed to better understand the potential impact of glyphosate exposure.

Misuse of drug tests on energy drinks like Red Bull produces false positives; doesn’t demonstrate these drinks contain cocaine and other drugs

Home drug tests are a simple and rapid method for detecting the presence of drugs of abuse in a variety of human samples, including saliva, urine, and blood. However, these tests only provide preliminary results and need confirmation from a laboratory test. Furthermore, to be reliable, the tests should be carried out correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using samples that the test wasn’t designed to analyze, such as food and beverages, is a misuse of the test and results produced from such tests are invalid.

Social media post inaccurately claims natural remedy of garlic, onions, thyme, and lemon can replace the flu shot

The flu vaccine is the most effective method for preventing serious complications or illness caused by the influenza virus. While ingredients like garlic, onion, thyme, and lemon possess antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, there is limited evidence to suggest that they prevent or eliminate viral infections. “Natural” remedies actually recommended by medical professionals to accelerate recovery from viral infections are sleep and hydration.

Marty Makary relies on misleading and unsubstantiated claims to accuse U.S. government of spreading misinformation

Public health measures such as vaccination and mask-wearing are safe and effective strategies that help reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Because public health policies are evidence-based, they rely on the scientific evidence accumulated at a particular time. In the case of a novel pathogen about which little was known, this evidence was extremely scarce in the early stages. For this reason, public policies have evolved with time to align with new evidence that emerged later on.

Yale University researchers reported a technology to deliver mRNA vaccines in the nose, not a way to remotely vaccinate people

Intranasal delivery of vaccines is expected to provide better immunity against respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and are easier to administer. Some are already being used against the flu. Researchers from Yale found a way to administer mRNA vaccines in mice by applying droplets of vaccine directly into the animals’ nostrils, eliciting an immune response against SARS-CoV-2.

Daily Mail article provides misleading interpretation on South Korean mask study to imply mask-wearing is dangerous

Scientific evidence shows wearing a face mask reduces the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a face mask also doesn’t significantly impede the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as gas molecules are many times smaller than the pores of even an N95 mask. COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through infectious liquid particles spread from infected to uninfected individuals. Masks act as simple physical barriers that reduce the dissemination of these liquid particles, which are generated by people when they cough, sneeze, or speak.

Conspiracy theory about the deaths of alternative medicine practitioners ignores evidence, misrepresents certain doctors

Conspiracy theories alleging that the pharmaceutical industry is targeting alternative medicine practitioners to silence them have proven to be popular and enduring on social media. By extension, these conspiracy theories imply that alternative medicine is more effective than conventional medicine, thus posing a threat to the pharmaceutical industry’s profits. However, claims that practices in alternative medicine provide effective treatments generally lack reliable supporting evidence derived from rigorously conducted research

Testimony by Steve Kirsch on the alleged harms of vaccination relies on flawed, biased analyses

Childhood vaccination represents a great advancement in public health that has helped to eliminate or reduce the risk of diseases that in the past killed and disabled more than two million children worldwide per year. A robust body of evidence shows that the vaccines that are currently in use, including COVID-19 vaccines, are safe for children and not associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes.

No imminent avian flu pandemic is being staged by Bill Gates or the WHO; claim by Redacted YouTube channel misrepresented sources

From the Black Plague to the 1918 flu pandemic to COVID-19, infectious disease outbreaks large and small have occurred throughout all of history and will continue to occur. Because of this, governments and public health agencies must continually monitor pathogens that could cause an outbreak. Tabletop simulation exercises are among public health emergency preparedness measures that aim to improve responses in case of a public health threat. The monitoring of viruses with the potential to cause a serious outbreak, such as the H5N1 avian flu virus, is also par for the course in infectious disease surveillance. Just as fire drills don’t mean a fire that occurs must have been planned, taking steps towards pandemic preparedness isn’t evidence that a pandemic is planned.

Claim by Brian Hooker that unvaccinated children are healthier compared to vaccinated children relies on flawed studies

Childhood vaccination helps to reduce the risk of potentially serious diseases, including measles and polio. Large-scale, reputable studies have not found a greater incidence of adverse health outcomes in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children. Ingredients in childhood vaccines aren’t present in toxic amounts. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends on-time routine immunization of all children and adolescents according to the CDC’s Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.