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Coronavirus: The Infodemic - November 13


Pfizer's logo is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Pfizer's logo is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

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

Daily Debunk

Claim: The research and development of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which was proven to be 90% effective against SARS-CoV-2 in November 2020, was funded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed.

Verdict: False

Read the full story at: Snopes

Social Media Disinfo

The Paris Peace Forum at The Elysee Palace, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Paris, France November 12, 2020. Ludovic Marin/ Pool via REUTERS
The Paris Peace Forum at The Elysee Palace, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Paris, France November 12, 2020. Ludovic Marin/ Pool via REUTERS

"The CoronaVirusFacts Alliance gets a global showcase at the Paris Peace Forum," Poynter, November 13

Factual Reads on Coronavirus

For COVID Drugs, Months of Frantic Development Lead to Few Outright Successes
There have been mixed results as researchers try to stop a disease they are still trying to understand.
-- Scientific American, November 13

New Type of Test May Better Discern Immunity to the Coronavirus​
The test detects the response of T cells to the virus — an arm of the immune system that may be just as important as antibodies to preventing reinfection.
-- New York Times, November 10

One in five COVID-19 patients develop mental illness within 90 days - study
Study finds 20% of those infected diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days.
-- Reuters, November 9

Four reasons for encouragement based on Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine results
The world has been waiting for good news on Covid-19 vaccines. Monday it got a bunch of it.
-- Stat, November 9

A minority of people with covid-19 account for the bulk of transmission
In two Indian states 10% of people caused 60% of subsequent infections.
-- The Economist, November 7

COVID research updates: A vaccine that mimics the coronavirus prompts potent antibodies
Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear.
-- Nature, November 6

Lions and Tigers and Anteaters? US Scientists Scan the Menagerie for COVID
As COVID-19 cases surge in the U.S., one Texas veterinarian has been quietly tracking the spread of the disease — not in people, but in their pets.
-- Kaiser Health News, November 4

Fighting COVID-19 with herd immunity?
Herd immunity is usually achieved with a vaccine. In the fight against COVID, some countries gambled on natural herd immunity, allowing infection to spread. But most scientists say it's dangerous and may not even work.
-- Deutsche Welle, November 2

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

HealthCheck

COVID19 Infodemics Observatory

Agence France Presse

Snopes

BuzzFeed

Factcheck.org

Associated Press

Washington Post

TruthOrFiction

Mapping COVID-19 Casualties

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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