Claim reviews
Short identical gene sequence in SARS-CoV-2 and a gene sequence patented by Moderna can be found in other organisms; not evidence that virus was engineered
CLAIM
“scientists find virus contains tiny chunk of DNA that matches sequence patented by Moderna THREE YEARS before pandemic began”
SOURCE: Connor Boyd, Daily Mail
Published: 02 Mar 2022
VERDICT
CDC’s updated developmental milestone checklists don’t mean that standards for children’s development are lowered; they signal a change in the surveillance strategy
CLAIM
The CDC “lowered the bar” for developmental milestones instead of acknowledging the effects of COVID-19 restrictions in children
SOURCE: Jim Hoft, Social media users, Gateway Pundit, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter
Published: 25 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Claim that erythromycin eye ointment given to newborns is risky is misleading, lacks context
CLAIM
Erythromycin eye ointment given to newborns carries many risks
SOURCE: Anonymous, Well-Rooted Pediatrics
Published: 22 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Stem cell transplantation isn’t a scalable treatment for HIV
CLAIM
Umbilical cord stem cells can be a cure for HIV; umbilical cord blood should be collected
SOURCE: Facebook Users, Facebook
Published: 21 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Alleged spikes in medical conditions among the military after COVID-19 vaccine rollout are based on faulty data due to a database glitch
CLAIM
In 2021, cases of pregnancy and fertility issues, cancer, neurological issues, and heart disease spiked after COVID-19 vaccination
SOURCE: Thomas Renz, Rumble, Facebook, Instagram
Published: 17 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Study on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies levels following infection don’t prove that recovered patients are protected from reinfection
CLAIM
A study from Johns Hopkins on natural immunity to COVID-19 demonstrates that infection provides better protection than vaccination, challenging official vaccine recommendations for previously infected people
SOURCE: Joshua Arnold, Family Research Council
Published: 15 Feb 2022
VERDICT
The COVID-19 vaccines don’t weaken the immune system and are unrelated to the HIV VB variant
CLAIM
The COVID-19 vaccine “destroys the subject’s natural immune system”; HIV VB variant is a “cover up”
SOURCE: Alex Jones, Facebook, Twitter, The Alex Jones Show
Published: 11 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Claims that a “Johns Hopkins study” showed lockdowns are ineffective at reducing COVID-19 mortality are based on a working paper with questionable methods
CLAIM
“Lockdowns only reduced COVID-19 mortality by .2%, study finds”
SOURCE: Paul Best, Connor Boyd, Gina Martinez, Fox News, Daily Mail
Published: 10 Feb 2022
VERDICT
A new, highly virulent HIV variant named VB variant was indeed identified in the Netherlands
CLAIM
Highly infectious HIV 'VB' variant makes people ill twice as quickly
SOURCE: Emily Craig, Daily Mail
Published: 09 Feb 2022
VERDICT
Majority of ten countries listed in viral chain message haven’t dropped all COVID-19 restriction measures and aren’t considering COVID-19 as a seasonal flu, despite claims
CLAIM
Ten countries “announced the cancellation of all quarantine procedures, Corona tests, and compulsory vaccination”
SOURCE: Christiane Northrup, Telegram
Published: 07 Feb 2022
VERDICT
