Articles tagged with: Respiratory infections

ARTICLE REVIEWS

COVID-19 vaccine candidate by Pittsburgh scientists show promising results in animal studies, but clinical trials still needed before efficacy in humans is known

in Pittsburgh Magazine, by Garret Roberts

— 11 Apr 2020

Scientists who reviewed this article’s scientific credibility found that the reporting was generally accurate. However, they also highlighted a missed opportunity to provide read...

Viral New York Post article perpetuates the unfounded claim that the virus that causes COVID-19 is manmade

in New York Post, by Steven W. Mosher

— 02 Mar 2020

Overall, Mosher’s argument is based on unfounded speculation and scientific inaccuracies. Such claims, which continue to be perpetuated even by public officials, have real-world ...

Time article accurately describes distinguishing features between influenza infection and infection by other respiratory viruses

in Time, by Markham Heid

— 28 Nov 2018

"Generally accurate. However, the main issue is that influenza viruses can also cause a "cold", i.e. upper respiratory tract infection. A "cold" is a symptom/diagnosis whereas "inf..

CLAIM REVIEWS

The main cause of death in COVID-19 patients is respiratory insufficiency arising from viral pneumonia, not clotting disorder as claimed in viral social media posts

CLAIM
"Autopsies performed by the Italian pathologists [have] shown that [COVID-19] is not pneumonia but it is disseminated intravascular coagulation"

SOURCE: Chinonyerem Emmanuella, Facebook users, GistFlash, Facebook

Published: 26 May 2020

VERDICT

Eating alkaline food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19

CLAIM
The pH for the coronavirus varies from 5.5 to 8.5. What we need to do to defeat the coronavirus is to consume more alkaline foods above the virus’ pH level.

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook

Published: 22 Apr 2020

VERDICT

Claim that SARS-CoV-2 binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells unsupported and implausible

CLAIM
COVID-19 causes prolonged and progressive hypoxia (starving your body of oxygen) by binding to the heme groups in hemoglobin in your red blood cells

SOURCE: Andrew Gaiziunas, Medium

Published: 15 Apr 2020

VERDICT

Claim that flu shot causes false positive results on COVID-19 tests is unsupported and misleading

CLAIM
The flu shot causes false positive results on COVID-19 tests

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook

Published: 10 Apr 2020

VERDICT

PCR tests for COVID-19 are specific for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and do not detect other coronaviruses, contrary to claims in viral article and video

CLAIM
There are no reliable tests for a specific COVID-19 virus

SOURCE: Jerry Day, Julian Rose, GlobalResearch.ca, YouTube

Published: 06 Apr 2020

VERDICT

Evidence points to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 being of natural origin, no evidence it could have been intentionally propagated

CLAIM
The coronavirus has been 'released' by China

SOURCE: Anonymous, MyNaCl.blogspot.in

Published: 05 Apr 2020

VERDICT

Viral video mixes truth about COVID-19 with a long list of ineffective treatments and preventions

CLAIM
Coronavirus does not cause a runny nose; is killed by temperatures above 26 degrees; causes lung fibrosis within days of infection; can be diagnosed by holding your breath for 10 seconds; and can be cured in the early stages by drinking plenty of water.

SOURCE: Steven Aitchison, Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life

Published: 03 Apr 2020

VERDICT

Claim that flu vaccine increases coronavirus infection is unsupported, misinterprets scientific studies

CLAIM
flu vaccine increases risk of coronavirus infection

SOURCE: Benjamin Krause, Facebook users, DisabledVeterans.org, GreenMedInfo

Published: 30 Mar 2020

VERDICT

Gargling salt water or vinegar may soothe a sore throat, but it will not eliminate COVID-19

CLAIM
Gargling with warm water and salt or vinegar eliminates the virus [SARS-CoV-2]

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook, Twitter

Published: 27 Mar 2020

VERDICT

The virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on solid surfaces for days, but infection risk from contaminated objects is unknown

CLAIM
[SARS-CoV-2] is spreading quickly from gas pumps. Shopping carts as well.

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook

Published: 26 Mar 2020

VERDICT