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Coronavirus: The Infodemic - October 1


A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020.
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020.

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

Daily Debunk

Claim: COVID-19 mortality rates are very low, therefore COVID-19 is not an important public health concern; if you are 70+ years old, you have a 0.054% chance of dying from COVID-19.

Verdict: Misleading

Read the full story at: Health Feedback

Social Media Disinfo

Screenshot
Screenshot

Circulating on social media: Claim that Covid-19 “vaccines” are being distributed in Africa but are not for sale in the U.S,, Canada and the European Union because they are unsafe and still undergoing testing in developing countries.

Verdict: Misleading

Read the full story at: Agence France-Presse

Factual Reads on Coronavirus

Inside the Coronavirus
What scientists know about the inner workings of the pathogen that has infected the world
-- Scientific American, October 1

COVID research updates: Tests reveal silent reinfections in hospital workers
Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear.
-- Nature, September 28

A layperson’s guide to how — and when — a Covid-19 vaccine could be authorized
This story is based on interviews as well as on documents the drug makers have released detailing their clinical trial plans.
-- Stat, September 28

'Close to 100% accuracy': Helsinki airport uses sniffer dogs to detect Covid
Researchers running Helsinki pilot scheme say dogs can identify virus in seconds.
-- The Guardian, September 24

The Road Ahead: Charting the coronavirus pandemic over the next 12 months — and beyond
In this project, STAT describes 30 key moments, possible turning points that could steer the pandemic onto a different course or barometers for how the virus is reshaping our lives.
-- Stat, September 22

U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Concerns about the safety and effectiveness of possible vaccine, pace of approval process.
--Pew Research Center, September 17

The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Changing Our Dreams
Anxiety about social distancing and infection is altering how much we dream and the nature of our dreams themselves.
-- Scientific American, September 15

The Carnival Cruise Ship That Spread Coronavirus Around the World
How were hundreds of infected Ruby Princess passengers allowed to disembark in Sydney and return to homes from Tasmania to Florida?
-- Bloomberg, September 15

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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