Claim reviews
No vaccine contains strains of both the flu and the virus that causes COVID-19; COVID-19 is not the flu
CLAIM
The U.S. CDC encourages the use of a “[COVID-19] flu shot” on children.
SOURCE: Facebook user, Facebook
Published: 20 Sep 2020
VERDICT
The number of COVID-19 cases reported is based on a highly specific diagnostic test for COVID-19; no confusion with flu or common cold is possible
CLAIM
“It's NOT a SECOND WAVE of COVID-19 coming soon. It's the NORMAL COLD / FLU SEASON”
SOURCE: Facebook Users, Facebook
Published: 18 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Climate change, forest management and several other causes contribute to wildfire severity and total area burned in the western United States
CLAIM
“Forest fires are caused by poor management. Not by climate change.”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Facebook
Published: 16 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Cloth masks are effective at reducing virus transmission because it spreads in respiratory droplets, which are larger than smoke particles and the pores in fabric
CLAIM
Cloth masks cannot block smoke particles which are larger than viruses, so masks cannot stop virus transmission
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 15 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Western US wildfires are not the result of widespread arson
CLAIM
a distressing number of the [West coast] fires are not accidents, and willful arson is the cause.
SOURCE: Glen Morgan, We The Governed
Published: 14 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Misinterpreted New York Times report leads to false claim that the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is inflated by up to 90%
CLAIM
COVID-19 case numbers are inflated due to PCR test sensitivity; “90% of positive COVID-19 tests should be negative”
SOURCE: Liz Wheeler, Steve Deace, One America News Network, The Blaze
Published: 10 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Adequate immunization and improved sanitation together protect against infection from both wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus
CLAIM
“UN Forced to Admit Gates-funded Vaccine is Causing Polio Outbreak in Africa“
SOURCE: Anonymous, 21st Century Wire
Published: 10 Sep 2020
VERDICT
COVID-19 test kits were not purchased in 2017 and 2018; claim is based on mislabeled data
CLAIM
“World Bank website shows COVID-19 testing kits purchased by countries in 2017 and in 2018”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Ben Swann, 4chan, Facebook
Published: 08 Sep 2020
VERDICT
Masks offer only partial protection from the virus that causes COVID-19, but their effectiveness can be enhanced with other measures like physical distancing
CLAIM
“Either masks work or they don’t”; “I don’t understand the safety concern with voting in person. Your mask works, right?”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 04 Sep 2020
VERDICT
A person’s response to vaccination is not associated with birthmarks or the presence of mutations in a gene involved with vitamin B9 production
CLAIM
Birthmarks are indicators of the MTHFR gene; “When people have MTHFR their chances of vaccine reactions increase because they cannot detox the toxins from the vaccines”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 03 Sep 2020
VERDICT
