REVIEW On 21 July 2022, Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed that “it’s looking likely that [COVID-19] vaccines suppress the immune system”. To support that assertion, Carlson cited a review article by Seneff et al. and a comment in Virology J
Publication: covid-19
Poynter→ Biden, fully vaccinated, caught COVID-19. Here are 6 things to know about breakthrough cases in 2022
President Joe Biden joined a growing club of Americans who, despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Since his July 21 diagnosis, Biden has been […] The post Biden, fully vaccinated, caught COVID-19.
Snopes→ Biden Tests Negative for COVID-19, Ends ‘Strict Isolation’
President Joe Biden looked forward to ending his COVID-19 isolation after testing negative for the virus.
Snopes→ Did New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Once Say, ‘Unless You Hear It from Us, It Is Not the Truth’?
Maybe more importantly, when and in what context did she say that?
Snopes→ White House Tries to Make Biden’s COVID a ‘Teachable Moment’
For more than a year, President Joe Biden’s ability to avoid the coronavirus seemed to defy the odds.
Snopes→ Is This a Real Trump Statement About Biden’s COVID-19 Diagnosis?
An image is spreading supposedly showing a statement by the former president wishing Biden a "speedy recover" because "no one wants Kamala [Harris]" as president.
Health Feedback→ COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of death from COVID-19; the vaccines don’t alter our DNA
REVIEW On 17 July 2022, political activist Charlie Kirk published a video on Facebook, claiming that Canadian data showed COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of death from COVID-19. The video was viewed more than 720,000 times and shared more than 2
Snopes→ Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19, Has ‘Mild Symptoms’
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus.
Snopes→ CDC Endorses More Traditional Novavax COVID Shot for Adults
U.S. adults who haven’t gotten any COVID-19 shots yet should consider a new option from Novavax -- a more traditional kind of vaccine.
Snopes→ Jan. 6 Panel Chairman Has COVID, Prime-Time Hearing Still on
Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Jan. 6 committee, has tested positive for COVID-19, but the panel will still hold its prime-time hearing.
Snopes→ Fauci Expects to Retire by End of Biden’s Current Term
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, said he plans to retire by the end of President Joe Biden's term in January 2025.
Snopes→ Can You Catch COVID from a Cat?
Don't worry, there's no need to treat your pet like a bioweapon.
Snopes→ Why Are People Calling COVID-19 Variant BA.2.75 ‘Centaurus’?
If enough people use a name to refer to something, who's to say that isn't what it's called?
Snopes→ US Regulators OK New COVID-19 Shot Option from Novavax
The U.S. is getting another COVID-19 vaccine choice as the Food and Drug Administration cleared Novavax shots for adults.
Snopes→ Masks Could Return to Los Angeles As COVID Surges Nationwide
Los Angeles County, home to 10 million residents, is facing a return to a broad indoor mask mandate later this month if current trends in hospital admissions continue.
Snopes→ Cost-Of-Living Crisis to Hit Women Hardest
A cost-of-living crisis sparked in part by higher fuel and food prices is expected to hit women the hardest, the World Economic Forum reported.
Snopes→ New Coronavirus Mutant Raises Concerns in India and Beyond
Scientists say the variant – called BA.2.75 – may be able to spread rapidly and get around immunity from vaccines and previous infection.
Health Feedback→ Studies show that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh their risks; preprint claiming to show otherwise is flawed
REVIEW An article published by the website The Daily Sceptic, formerly known as Lockdown Sceptics, claimed that “Covid Vaccines More Likely to Put You in Hospital Than Keep You Out, BMJ Editor’s Analysis of Pfizer and Moderna Trial Data Finds”
Snopes→ Evidence of Poliovirus in London Stirs Vaccine Confusion
Social media users tried to sow doubt and confusion about the safety and efficacy of vaccines after British health authorities found traces of vaccine-derived polio in sewage water.
Snopes→ FDA Advisers Recommend Updating COVID Booster Shots for Fall
The FDA anticipates a combination shot that adds protection against a version of the super-contagious omicron variant to the original vaccine.
Snopes→ US Opens COVID Vaccine to Little Kids; Shots Begin This Week
The U.S. opened COVID-19 vaccines to infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Snopes→ FDA Authorizes 1st COVID-19 Shots for Infants, Preschoolers
U.S. regulators authorized the first COVID-19 shots for infants and preschoolers, paving the way for vaccinations to begin.
Truth or Fiction?→ Doctor Pushing COVID Disinformation Sentenced to Prison for Capitol Riot
A California physician who has been at the forefront of COVID-related disinformation was sentenced to 60 days in prison for taking part in the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to CNN, Dr. Simone Gold was also ordered to pay a $9,500 f
Health Feedback→ Justin Bieber’s facial paralysis is caused by a viral infection; no evidence that COVID-19 vaccine played a role
REVIEW On 10 June 2022, pop singer Justin Bieber published an Instagram video announcing that he had been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. In the video, Bieber explained that the condition was caused by “th
Snopes→ FDA Advisers Endorse 1st COVID-19 Shots for Kids Under 5
The Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisers gave a thumbs-up to vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the littlest kids.
Snopes→ Bill Gates Tweets Joke About Microchips Conspiracy Theory
Gates' joke came in response to a tweet from "The Daily Show's" Twitter account about Microsoft ending its support of the Internet Explorer web browser.
Snopes→ Fauci Tests Positive for Virus, Has Mild COVID-19 Symptoms
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of America's pandemic response through two White House administrations, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Health Feedback→ SADS is caused by genetic mutations affecting the electrical system regulating heartbeat; no evidence it is caused by COVID-19 vaccines
REVIEW On 8 June 2022, political commentator here and here, demonstrating the article’s ability to mislead online users. Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), sometimes incorrectly called sudden adult death syndrome, occurs in young, apparently
Health Feedback→ Scientific evidence shows that mask-wearing is effective at limiting community transmission; claims that face masks increase mortality are based on flawed correlation studies
REVIEW Mask mandates in public spaces have been a common feature in most countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, as countries sought to limit the spread of the virus. But the proliferation of mask mandates was equally met with growing resistance pro
Snopes→ US Lifts COVID-19 Test Requirement for International Travel
The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights.
Snopes→ New Vaccine May Be Option for Troops with Religious Concerns
At least 175 active duty and reserve service members have already received the Novavax vaccine, some even traveling overseas at their own expense to get it.
Health Feedback→ Large-scale studies have found that COVID-19 vaccination doesn’t increase the risk of negative pregnancy outcomes, contrary to claim by Naomi Wolf
REVIEW On 25 May 2022, Steve Bannon, former White House strategist, hosted author Naomi Wolf on his podcast War Room Battleground. During the podcast, Wolf claimed that the babies of vaccinated mothers were dying in disproportionately higher numbers
Snopes→ WH: 1st COVID Shots for Kids Under 5 Possible by June 21
White House COVID-19 coordinator Ashish Jha outlined the administration's planning for the last remaining ineligible age group to get shots.
Health Feedback→ Monkeypox outbreak triggers conspiracy theories on social media claiming that it was planned or incorrectly linking it with COVID-19 vaccines
REVIEW On 13 May 2022, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of two confirmed cases of monkeypox in patients from the same household and without recent travel history to areas where the virus circulates
Health Feedback→ Following COVID-19 vaccination, the spike protein is produced in small quantities in the body without causing harm and is cleared naturally within days
REVIEW The spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to human cells and allows the virus to enter. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed to target the spike protein in order to induce immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The most common vaccin
Snopes→ Bill Pushes Feds to Notify Families of Sick, Dying Inmates
The legislation is the latest step by members of Congress to further oversight of the beleaguered federal prison system, which has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years.
Snopes→ Man in Japan Gambles COVID Town Funds Mistakenly Sent to Him
The money was supposed to be COVID-19 assistance for low-income households in a small Japanese town.
Health Feedback→ The benefits of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing severe disease and other complications outweigh the risk of myocarditis, which is higher after COVID-19 itself
REVIEW On 10 May 2022, comedian Theo Von posted on Facebook a four-minute video clip of an interview between him and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The clip was an excerpt of a 45-minute interview for Von’s podcast This Past Weekend, which was first publis
Health Feedback→ The U.S. COVID-19 death toll reached the 1 million mark in May 2022; 15 million estimated deaths worldwide
China officially reported its first COVID-19 death on 11 January 2020. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, which is the worldwide spread of a disease. Since then, the disease has swept the globe,
Snopes→ FDA Clears COVID Booster Shot for Healthy Kids Ages 5 to 11
U.S. regulators authorized a COVID-19 booster shot for healthy 5- to 11-year-olds, hoping an extra vaccine dose will enhance their protection.