Coronavirus: The Infodemic

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

Daily Debunk

Can I get COVID-19 through my eyes or ears?

Read the full story at: Associated Press

Social Media Disinfo

Screenshot

Circulating on social media: Claim that a 1981 novel written by Dean Koontz predicted the coronavirus outbreak.

Verdict: False

Read the full story at: U SA Today

Factual Reads on Coronavirus

Does drug touted by Trump work on COVID-19? After data debacle, we still don't know
Hydroxychloroquine was shown in laboratory experiments earlier this year to be able to block the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, but this effect has not been replicated in rigorous trials in people.
-- Reuters, June 4

China withheld data on coronavirus from WHO, recordings reveal
Complaints by officials at odds with body’s public praise of Beijing’s response to outbreak
-- Guardian, June 2

Antibody injections could fight COVID-19 infections – an infectious disease expert explains the prospects
[H]ow can we isolate and produce neutralizing antibodies in large enough quantities to serve everyone who needs them, including research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies?
-- The Conversation, June 1

The epic battle against coronavirus misinformation and conspiracy theories
Analysts are tracking false rumours about COVID-19 in hopes of curbing their spread.
-- Nature, May 27

Is the coronavirus mutating? Yes. But here’s why you don’t need to panic
Lab experiments would help determine whether mutations change how the virus infects cells
-- ScienceNews, May 26

New research rewrites history of when Covid-19 took off in the U.S. — and points to missed chances to stop it
The work adds to evidence that the United States missed opportunities to stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from taking root in this country — and that those opportunities persisted for longer than has been recognized up until now.
-- Stat, May 26

Coronavirus: The human cost of virus misinformation
A BBC team tracking coronavirus misinformation has found links to assaults, arsons and deaths. And experts say the potential for indirect harm caused by rumors, conspiracy theories and bad health information could be much bigger.
-- BBC News, May 27

How coronavirus stress may scramble our brains
Imaging studies show we should give ourselves a break
-- ScienceNews, May 24

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