Claim reviews
New York Magazine article on children’s risks from COVID-19 is accurate, but more context regarding difference in risk between young and older children would be helpful
CLAIM
In children, “the mortality risk from COVID-19 is actually lower than from the flu. The risk of severe disease or hospitalization is about the same”.
SOURCE: David Wallace-Wells, New York Magazine
Published: 09 Aug 2021
VERDICT
Vaccinated people are much more protected from COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals; the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines outweigh their risks
CLAIM
Vaccinated people can still get COVID-19, spread COVID-19, die from COVID-19, and could even die from the vaccine
SOURCE: Instagram User, Instagram
Published: 03 Aug 2021
VERDICT
COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe disease; haven’t shown signs of antibody-dependent enhancement as claimed by Robert Malone
CLAIM
COVID-19 vaccines will make SARS-CoV-2 more dangerous due to a mechanism called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE)
SOURCE: Robert Malone, War Room Pandemic
Published: 31 Jul 2021
VERDICT
EUA withdrawal for CDC COVID-19 PCR test is due to the development of newer tests that help save time and resources, not because the test is faulty
CLAIM
COVID-19 PCR test is inaccurate, will no longer be used; COVID-19 PCR test cannot differentiate between flu and COVID-19
SOURCE: Social media users, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Published: 26 Jul 2021
VERDICT
Ethylene oxide is used for sterilizing medical equipment, including nasal swabs, but it’s removed before use
CLAIM
Ethylene oxide in nasal swabs used for COVID-19 testing is harmful
SOURCE: TikTok users, Facebook users, TikTok, Facebook
Published: 26 Jul 2021
VERDICT
In the U.S. new COVID-19 cases are concentrated in areas with low vaccination rates
CLAIM
The non-vaccinated don’t get tested, so the increase in COVID-19 cases is made up or due to the vaccinated
SOURCE: Facebook Users , Facebook
Published: 25 Jul 2021
VERDICT
Unsupported claim that COVID-19 vaccines caused hundreds of serious reactions among military veterans misuses VAERS reports
CLAIM
COVID-19 vaccines caused 895 serious reactions among military veterans
SOURCE: Thomas Fitton, Judicial Watch
Published: 24 Jul 2021
VERDICT
The majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.K. are among unvaccinated people
CLAIM
“60% of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in England have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Disclose.tv
Published: 24 Jul 2021
VERDICT
Unvaccinated people are more likely to die of COVID-19 because they are more vulnerable to infection and severe disease
CLAIM
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people have over 99% chance of surviving COVID-19
SOURCE: Tomi Lahren, Facebook, Twitter
Published: 21 Jul 2021
VERDICT
Vaccinated people are less likely to be hospitalized due to the Delta variant compared to unvaccinated people, contrary to chiropractor’s claim
CLAIM
A Harvard study showed that vaccinated people are “twice as likely to get hospitalized as opposed to if they had a natural exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, then got exposed to a Delta variant”
SOURCE: Jen DePice, TLC4Superteams
Published: 21 Jul 2021
VERDICT