We can think of a few other public figures who have spread unverified claims about the virus.
Publication: covid-19
Snopes→ COVID-19: Why the Lab Leak Theory Should Be Formally Investigated
We don’t know how the virus arrived in Wuhan, how its sequence evolved to allow human infection, and under what conditions it infected the first people who crossed its path.
Health Feedback→ COVID-19 PCR tests are highly sensitive and specific for the virus SARS-CoV-2; the majority of positive results are true positives; there is no evidence that budesonide or HCQ are useful as COVID-19 treatments
On 16 and 17 April 2021, the Health and Freedom Conference was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an event organized by entrepreneur Clay Clark that was attended by over 4,000 people. The aim of the conference was to criticize the measures taken in response to t
Health Feedback→ COVID-19 vaccines are safer than the risk of COVID-19 infection for people of all ages
REVIEW The U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a surveillance system that helps ensure the safety of vaccines used in the U.S. However, VAERS reports have been commonly misused to spread misinformation about vaccine safety, partic
Health Feedback→ CDC mask recommendations changed as more people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated; masks are effective at reducing virus transmission and are especially important when the majority of the population is unvaccinated
REVIEW On 13 May 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals. Among the changes was the recommendation that “fully vaccinated people no longer
Health Feedback→ PCR tests on vaccinated and unvaccinated people are evaluated using the same criteria; the CDC didn’t change criteria for detecting infection in vaccinated people, as alleged in Off-Guardian article
REVIEW An article published on 18 May 2021 claimed that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed COVID-19 test criteria to reduce vaccine breakthrough cases and make it seem as if COVID-19 vaccines work, while inflating case
Snopes→ Biden Orders More Intel Investigation of COVID-19 Origin
President Joe Biden has ordered U.S. intelligence officials to “redouble” their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.
Snopes→ Moderna Says Its COVID-19 Shot Works in Kids As Young As 12
Earlier this month, the U.S. and Canada authorized another vaccine — the shot made by Pfizer and BioNTech — to be used starting at age 12.
Snopes→ Did Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Violate Her Own COVID-19 Restrictions?
Whitmer apologized, saying, "I am human."
Snopes→ Did Marjorie Taylor Greene Liken US Congress’ COVID-19 Rules to the Holocaust?
One of the Florida congresswoman's Republican colleagues described her remarks as "evil lunacy."
Snopes→ Did Marjorie Taylor Greene Liken US Congress’ COVID-19 Rules to the Holocaust?
One of the Georgia congresswoman's Republican colleagues described her remarks as "evil lunacy."
Health Feedback→ No data available to suggest a link between India’s reduction of COVID-19 cases and the use of ivermectin
REVIEW Starting mid-March 2021, India experienced a massive second wave of COVID-19 cases. As of 20 May 2021, there have been more than 25 million confirmed cases and almost 300,000 registered deaths in India since the beginning of the COVID-19 pand
Snopes→ NYC Mayor: Public Schools Will Be All in Person This Fall
After closing schools in March 2020, New York City was one of the first large U.S. cities to reopen school buildings in the fall of that year, but the majority of parents chose online-only learning for their children.
Snopes→ Are ‘National Immunization Survey’ Calls From the CDC Legit?
Unsurprisingly, some people were suspicious when they received unsolicited phone calls about vaccinations from the CDC.
Snopes→ New COVID-19 Cases Plummet to Lowest Levels Since Last June
New coronavirus cases across the United States have tumbled to rates not seen in more than 11 months.
Health Feedback→ U.S. CDC director didn’t state that COVID-19 deaths were over-counted; her statements about deaths among vaccine breakthrough cases were misinterpreted
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 600,000 deaths in the U.S. and 3.4 million deaths worldwide as of 19 May 2021. Although the excess mortality in the U.S. since March 2020 clearly demonstrates that the pandemic has caused many more deaths than
Snopes→ What the ‘Choosing Your COVID-19 Vaccine’ Meme Gets Wrong
A viral image makes a range of claims about vaccine manufacturers to try to discourage people from getting shots. We fact-checked each of them.
Snopes→ Did Fauci Fund ‘Gain of Function’ Research, Thereby Causing COVID-19 Pandemic?
Statements made by Fox News host Tucker Carlson furthered theories that a manipulated virus spilled over from a lab in Wuhan, China.
Snopes→ Under HIPAA Rules, Can Businesses Ask If You Have Been Vaccinated Against COVID-19?
Where does HIPAA's privacy rule apply?
Health Feedback→ COVID-19 vaccines don’t contain magnetic ingredients; dose volume is too small to contain any device able to hold a magnet through the skin
REVIEW Around mid-May 2021, multiple videos (examples here, here, and here) claimed that COVID-19 vaccines caused magnetic reactions in vaccinated people. The videos purportedly showed that magnets attached to the arm where people received a COVID-1
Health Feedback→ COVID-19 vaccines were tested in animals and clinical trials before receiving authorization; vaccinated people aren’t dying at a higher rate than unvaccinated people
REVIEW Video clips of a Texas Senate Committee meeting on 6 May 2021 showing an exchange on COVID-19 vaccine safety between U.S. Senator Bob Hall and pediatrician Angelina Farella, went viral on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, I
Snopes→ Who is Eligible for the Expanded Child Tax Credit?
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act included measures to help low- to moderate-income families cover new expenses or job losses.
Snopes→ Some Aren’t Ready to Give Up Masks Despite New CDC Guidance
With COVID-19 cases on the decline after more than 580,000 deaths and with more than a third of the U.S. population fully vaccinated, millions are deciding whether to continue wearing face masks.
Snopes→ Can Everyone Who’s Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Go Anywhere Maskless Now?
If you're planning to travel or visit a doctor, the CDC says cover your face regardless of your vaccination status.
Snopes→ Was Rand Paul ‘Right’ All Along About the CDC Mask Mandate?
The U.S. senator rejoiced at revised guidelines allowing fully vaccinated people to relax mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Snopes→ Misinformation Surges Amid India’s COVID-19 Calamity
Fueled by anguish, desperation and distrust of the government, rumors and hoaxes are spreading by word of mouth and on social media in India, compounding the country's humanitarian crisis.
Health Feedback→ Misinterpretation of VAERS database leads Tucker Carlson to wrongly suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are linked to higher mortality on Fox News
REVIEW As of 11 May 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic caused 160 million cases and more than 3 million deaths worldwide, including almost 600,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. The pandemic prompted an unprecedented effort to develop, test, and administer vacc
Snopes→ Did Merriam-Webster Change Definition of ‘Anti-Vaxxer’ Amid COVID-19?
The dictionary came under fire in May 2021, but did the claims against them check out?
Snopes→ Do Videos Show Magnets Sticking to People’s Arms After COVID-19 Vaccine?
A handful of viral clips attempted to further a conspiracy theory about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Snopes→ Did Fauci Say Americans Can Expect to Wear Masks Indefinitely?
A May 2021 broadcast of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" implied Anthony Fauci had sinister intentions behind mask mandates.
Snopes→ No, Indian Hindus Did Not Angrily Throw Away Idols Amid COVID-19
While India suffered a devastating surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths in 2021, some saw an opportunity for insidious religious propaganda.
Snopes→ Was FCC Offering Emergency Help With Your Internet Bill During COVID-19 Pandemic?
Applications for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program opened on May 12, 2021.
Snopes→ Did Pope Francis Offer This COVID-19 Vaccine Prayer?
A sacrilegious hoax was making its way around the internet.
Snopes→ Scores of Dead Bodies Found Floating in India’s Ganges River
"We are trying to find out where did these dead bodies come from? How did they get here?” said Mangla Prasad Singh, a local official.
Snopes→ Pfizer COVID-19 Shot Expanded to US Children As Young As 12
COVID-19 vaccines finally are headed for more kids as U.S. regulators expanded use of Pfizer's shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall.
Health Feedback→ Evidence shows that lockdowns implemented to tackle the spread of COVID-19 have saved lives, contrary to claims in the New York Post
REVIEW In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, long before vaccines became available, many countries tried to curb the spread of the virus by imposing lockdowns. Exactly what a lockdown consists of is highly variable depending on the country and
Health Feedback→ Deaths are attributed to COVID-19 according to clinical symptoms and diagnostic; deaths occurring following vaccination are systematically reported and investigated
REVIEW The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign led to the rollout of an important epidemiological and clinical surveillance. As of 7 May 2021, almost 600,000 persons died from COVID-19 in the U.S. and almost 100 m
Health Feedback→ A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for children would protect children and at-risk people by reducing the virus’ spread
REVIEW On 5 May 2021, Canada’s health ministry authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged between 12 to 15. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to do the same soon and the European Medicines Age
Snopes→ Is Montana Canceling Federal COVID-19 Unemployment?
In May 2021, Montana’s unemployment rate was 3.8%.
Snopes→ US Employers Added Just 266K Jobs in April As Hiring Slows
The number of jobs added was sharply lower than March, although the economy still added jobs.