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Coronavirus: The Infodemic - June 24


FILE PHOTO: The ultrastructural morphology exhibited by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is seen in an illustration released by the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. January 29, 2020. Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM/CDC/Handout via REUTERS.
FILE PHOTO: The ultrastructural morphology exhibited by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is seen in an illustration released by the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. January 29, 2020. Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM/CDC/Handout via REUTERS.

Fake news about the coronavirus can do real harm. Polygraph.info is spotlighting fact-checks from other reliable sources here​.

Daily Debunk

Claim: Research in Italy finds COVID-19 is caused by bacteria and can be treated with aspirin.

Verdict: False

Read the full story at: The Logical Indian

Social Media Disinfo

Production of disposable medical masks. Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan, June 24, 2020.
Production of disposable medical masks. Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan, June 24, 2020.

"Are These Claims About the Effectiveness of Face Masks True?" Snopes, June 18.

Factual Reads on Coronavirus

Swiss giant Novartis halts COVID-19 hydroxychloroquine study
Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis has decided to halt a clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19, citing problems in recruiting enough patients for the study of the controversial drug.
-- Medical Express, June 20

How likely are kids to get Covid-19? Scientists see a ‘huge puzzle’ without easy answers
There is some evidence that kids are less likely to catch the virus and less likely to spread it, but it’s not clear exactly how strong that evidence is.
-- Stat, June 18​

How ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines
The most immediate effect of vaccine nationalism is that it further disadvantages countries with fewer resources and bargaining power.
-- The Conversation, June 17

People are getting sick from coronavirus spreading through the air – and that’s a big challenge for reopening
As we try and figure out how to hold services while protecting our members, one question is of particular concern: How common is airborne spread of the virus?
-- The Conversation, June 16

Why COVID-19 Makes People Lose Their Sense of Smell
We’re beginning to understand the mechanism behind this relatively common symptom.
-- Scientific American, June 13

Public Health Officials Face Wave Of Threats, Pressure Amid Coronavirus Response
Elected officials and members of the public who are frustrated with the lockdowns and safety restrictions have at times turned public health workers into politicized punching bags, battering them with countless angry calls and even physical threats.
-- Kaiser Health News, June 12

Watch: Antibodies, immunity, and what they mean for Covid-19, explained
The immune system is no wimp. When pathogens cause illness, it kicks into high gear. Cells work together to tag, kill and gobble up invaders as they fight the infection.
-- Stat, May 5

The race for coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guide
Eight ways in which scientists hope to provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
-- Nature, April 28

The Best Coronavirus Myth-Busting Collections

COVID19 Infodemics Observatory

Agence France Presse

Snopes

BuzzFeed

Factcheck.org

Associated Press

Washington Post

TruthOrFiction

Mapping the COVID-19

Reliable Coronavirus Information

World Health Organization

U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Federation of American Scientists

Emergency Physicians

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine​

Pan American Health Organization

Google COVID‑19 Information & Resources

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