There’s no evidence that an investment in BIOMILQ – a startup that makes artificial breast milk has anything to do with the baby formula shortage. The shortage is caused by supply chain problems and a recall of formula owned by Abbott Nutrition.
Category: Fact Check
Fact Check
The newly released Pfizer documents do not show that their COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe
Pfizer has NOT declared their COVID vaccines unsafe for pregnancy and breastfeeding women, despite misleading claims on social media, nor have they said that the real efficacy rate for their vaccine (COMIRNATY) is 12 percent.
Elon Musk’s Political Spectrum Meme Is Not Quite Accurate
Musk’s meme suggests conservatives haven’t really changed. However, according to research, Republicans have moved further to the right than Democrats have to the left.
Gov. Ivey’s ‘stolen election’ claim in a campaign ad is still unfounded
In a reelection campaign ad, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, claimed without proof, that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. There is still no evidence of election fraud.
Yes, microplastics have been found in human blood
An article says that microplastics have been found in human blood for the first time. We rate this claim as true, although more studies are needed to determine if these substances in humans are associated with a public health risk.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not being taught in K-12 schools, but that didn’t stop Virginia Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin from vowing to ban it
“There is a significant effort to frame CRT as a Red Herring in the political race leading up to the 2022 election season. In order to protect the public interest of schooling and the credibility of the teaching profession, it’s really important for people to actually research the issues and learn from multiple, trust-worthy, and verified sources (not just social media or their immediate friend groups),” says Prof Rebecca Jacobsen of Michigan State University.
Senator Tim Scott’s claim that the IRS will monitor private bank accounts is not accurate
Based on the last version of the Biden plan, Tim Scott’s comments were not entirely accurate. The only accounts that would be subject to the reporting requirement would be where the total deposits exceed $10,000 after taking out of the equation W-2 wages and government benefits, e.g., social security payments.
The EcoHealth Alliance experiments have nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic
There is no evidence that Fauci knowingly gave false information when asked about the NIH funding of ” gain-of-function research” when it comes to the coronavirus. In fact, the letter itself notes that the viruses used in the experiments are “decades removed from SARS-CoV-2 evolutionarily” and that they “could not have been the source of SARS-CoV-2.”
It isn’t accurate to talk about the supply chain problems we are facing in terms of “this administration” or “that administration”
It isn’t accurate to talk about the supply chain problems we are facing in terms of “this administration” or “that administration,” because the problem has been here for a long time.
Bolsonaro claims about his environmental protection record at the U.N. General Assembly meeting stretch the truth
President Bolsonaro of Brazil was the first head of state to address this year’s UN General Assembly in New York. At one point of his speech, Bolsonaro spoke about the progress Brazil is making in terms of environmental conservation, particularly the Amazon rain forest. In his comments on the environment, we find his claim to be misleading.
Bolsonaro claims about his environmental protection record at the U.N. General Assembly meeting stretches the truth
President Bolsonaro of Brazil was the first head of state to address this year’s UN General Assembly in New York. At one point of his speech, Bolsonaro spoke about the progress Brazil is making in terms of environmental conservation, particularly the Amazon rain forest. In his comments on the environment, we find his claim to be misleading.
Fact Check on claim about COVID-19 vaccines
While it is true that the vaccines are effective at prevention of serious illness, many studies show that they are also effective at preventing asymptomatic infection. That is, vaccines are effective at preventing you from catching COVID-19, and therefore reduce the risk that you transmit to others.
COVID vaccines do not impact male fertility, nor do they cause swollen testicles, as suggested by Niki Minaj
World-renown rap star Nicki Minaj tweeted about Covid-19 vaccination during the 2021 Met Gala (she did not attend since she is not vaccinated). She suggested that getting a COVID-19 vaccine will cause male impotence and swollen testicles.
Florida Governor Makes Misleading Claim About COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunity
“These mandates, this is not about science,” the Republican governor said during a press conference in Alachua County. “Because if it was about science, you would recognize the infection conferred immunity.”
The jury is still out on the effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID-19, despite claims that it works or that it’s useless
Ivermectin is used to fight worms and other parasites in animals and humans. But some people are taking it to treat COVID-19, despite warnings from experts and poisonings tied to the drug.
Contrary to Online Video’s Claim, masks are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19
Dr. Julie Swann, A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor and Department Head at NC State University debunks the claim that face masks can’t block viruses such as COVID-19.
Claim that the first COVID-19 vaccine that was approved by the FDA is somehow different than than the “Pfizer vaccine” currently available is misleading
In the podcast and video show “War Room” hosted by Steve Bannon, Dr. Robert Malone claimed that the “mainstream media is lying” and suggested that the vaccine that was approved by the FDA is somehow different than the “Pfizer vaccine” currently available under emergency use authorization.
CDC withdrawing its request for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 PCR diagnostic test does not mean the test failed
Social media is now rife with claims about why the CDC is withdrawing its request for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 PCR diagnostic test after December 2021.
Study does not determine COVID vaccines kill 2 for every 3 they save
Study does not determine COVID vaccines kill 2 for every 3 they save.
The coronavirus vaccines are not magnetic
All three coronavirus vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States are free from metals.
Debunking the claim that vaccines cause new COVID-19 variants
In an interview in the French documentary “Hold-Up,” Luc Montagnier, a French virologist and recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), claimed that Covid-19 vaccines are creating new variants in various parts of the world. He believes that the ongoing vaccinations across the world is an ”enormous mistake.” ”The history books will show that because it is the vaccination that is creating the variants.” Multiple French social media posts that have been shared by thousands have also claimed that COVID-19 vaccines are causing variants of the virus to emerge. We find these claims to be false. There is no evidence the vaccines are creating more variants.
Are businesses violating HIPAA if they ask their patrons if they’ve been vaccinated? No.
As business rework their mask requirements such as lifting face mask requirements for customers who are vaccinated against COVID-19, questions about medical privacy are back in the spotlight. The question of whether it’s okay to ask a maskless patron if they’ve been vaccinated has come into focus. Vaccine opponents, including members of the U.S. Congress, are once again claiming that the HIPAA federal privacy law protects individuals from being asked about their vaccination status. We find this claim to be false.
There is no evidence that vaccines could cause harm to people who have recovered from COVID-19
An article published by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccination organization and widely shared on social media questions the need of vaccinating those who’ve already recovered from COVID-19. The article says there’s a “potential risk of harm, including death” in getting the vaccines. We report this claim as false. There is no evidence that vaccinating people who had previously had COVID is resulting in an increased risk of adverse events.
The claim made by leaders of Miami school that vaccinated teachers can negatively affect non-vaccinated staff and students is completely false
There is no evidence any vaccinated people may be transmitting something from their bodies to non-vaccinated people.
Claims That Masks Are Irrelevant Put People at Risk
The claim that you don’t have to wear a mask after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has been circulating on social media and told by conservative media pundits such as Tucker Carlson and Rep. Jim Jordan.
Texan doctor baselessly claims that the mRNA vaccines aren’t actually vaccines at all
A Texas doctor, in a widely shared video, falsely claims the vaccines don’t provide protection and that they’re actually “experimental gene therapy.”

Opinion Piece on Lockdowns Misinterprets Data
A recent opinion piece in the NY Post ignores evidence supporting the effectiveness of lockdowns.
The claim that lockdowns end more lives than they save is misleading
Dr Howard H.Z. Thom of the University of Bristol says it is grossly misleading to attribute the 1 million excess deaths solely to response.
The claim that the U.S. has seen a surge in hate crimes against Asian people during the COVID-19 Pandemic is true
A study published in March 2021 by California State University, San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found that hate crimes reported to police departments in the 16 largest U.S. cities in 2020 increased by 149%.
The claim that the U.S. has seen a surge in hate crimes against Asian people during the COVID-19 Pandemic is true
A study published in March 2021 by California State University, San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found that hate crimes reported to police departments in the 16 largest U.S. cities in 2020 increased by 149%.
COVID vaccines aren’t ‘gene therapy’
Fact-checking a false claim about COVID-19 vaccines
There is no data indicating that the COVID-19 is unsafe for pregnant women.
Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19. Also, many women of childbearing age have increased COVID-19 exposure risks, including healthcare providers and other workers providing essential services.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claim blaming the state’s massive power outages on renewable energy is misleading
On Tuesday in an interview on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Texas Governor Greg Abbott blamed the outages on wind turbines and on the “Green New Deal.” Rolling blackouts have ravaged Texas after a winter storm created a sudden spike in energy demand and hamstrung production of natural gas, coal, nuclear, and wind energy.
There is no credible evidence that shows a link between the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and infertility
Headlines going viral on Facebook and elsewhere on social media are spreading the claim that the COVID-19 vaccine could lead to infertility in women. There is currently no data to support this claim. Experts weigh in…
Sen. Rand Paul Claiming that Trans Inclusion Will ‘Destroy Girls’ Athletics’ is Off the Mark
Besides mislabeling transgender girls as “boys”, Paul provides no true evidence that transgender athletes have negatively effected high school athletic programs.
Shared video of Dr. Fauci interview with added commentary misinterprets vaccine information
Shared video of Dr. Fauci CNN interview with added commentary sends wrong message about COVID vaccine protection
News about a California man who died after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is misleading
A Northern California man died on January 21st, several hours after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Placer County Public Health and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. It should be said that the man The man previously tested positive for the coronavirus in late December. There is no evidence that the vaccine was the cause of death.
Debunking Senator Ted Cruz’s Claims on Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement
Rejoining the Paris Agreement signals that the United States intends to do its part to cut global emissions to reduce future warming and, importantly, to reduce future losses from climate-worsened disasters for all Americans.
The first dose of the Pfizer vaccine gives about 50% COVID protection, not 91% as first reported
The NEJM paper actually states that the efficacy between the first and second doses was found to be 52 percent when given 21 days apart. After the second dose, the efficacy raises to 95 percent.
Due to the COVID surge, ambulances in the Los Angeles area are refusing to transfer patients with no chance of survival
As the surge of COVID-19 cases increase exponentially across the U.S., the hospitals in the Los Angeles metro area have been particularly hit hard. There are now more than 7,600 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. Ambulance crews in the area have been advised to cut back on their use of oxygen and to not bring to hospitals patients who have virtually no chance of survival in order to increase capacity and triage care to focus on the sickest patients.
New COVID-19 strain NOT a result of the vaccines, but it is more contagious
Hours after the United Kingdom raised alarm about the new variant of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, social media, including Twitter, is brimming with theories on the timing of this news. Many people have remarked that the timing of this news coming on the heels of the new vaccines is suspicious.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham falsely claims restrictions on eating out are not supported by science
On December 8th on Fox News, during a transition between her show and Sean Hannity, TV host Laura Ingraham wrongly claimed restrictions on eating out are not supported by science. The comment came after Hannity made reference to Ingraham’s on-air interview the previous day with a Los Angeles restaurant owner. The claim is inaccurate. There is evidence that restaurants and bars are among the most common places for the virus spread.
Claim that the FDA found that coronavirus vaccines awaiting approval could cause death is majorly misleading
GreenMedInfo, an alternative health website that has published articles claiming vaccines cause autism, published an article on December 6th warning about the adverse side effects of the coronavirus vaccines, including death. We rate this article as mostly false and misleading.
COVID-19 may have been present in the U.S. in December 2019, weeks earlier than previously thought
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggested that coronavirus infections may have been present in the U.S. in December 2019, earlier than scientists previously thought.
Sen. Paul’s Tweet on Natural Infection vs. COVID-19 Vaccines is Misleading
On November 17, U.S. Sentator Rand Paul of Kentucky compared the effectiveness of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines with “naturally acquired COVID-19” on Twitter. He folllowed-up by asking, “Why does the left accept immune theory when it comes to vaccines, but not when discussing naturally acquired immunity?” Besides ignoring the point of vaccines, which is to protect the public BEFORE they get sick, the comparison of natural COVID-19 infection and vaccine efficacy is inacurate. Reinfections have not been confirmed and the efficacy of naturally-acquired immunity is still not understood.
The claim that COVID-19 vaccines will cause more severe disease through antibody-dependent enhancement is not supported
ADE has not been shown to occur in individuals that received COVID-19 vaccines to date.
@MTSU’s Prof. Foss examines Justice Alito’s @FedSoc speech through a historical public health lens.
Analyzing historical documents – from Boston’s smallpox and Philadelphia’s yellow fever in the 18th century to outbreaks of diphtheria, influenza, and typhoid in the 20th century, Foss pieced together over 200 years of health reporting for her latest book “Constructing the Outbreak.” Her research positions Foss as a uniquely informed expert on how today’s news narratives are writing the history of COVID-19.
Elon Musk’s claim that COVID testing is “bogus” is not accurate
Elon Musk, Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer has repeatedly played down the severity of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, Musk said that a rapid antigen test results from the same machine and the same test showed he tested positive twice and then negative twice all on the same day. He questioned the validy of the test by suggesting “something extremely bogus is going on.”
Are a third of the excess deaths in 2020 not linked to COVID-19? Yes. Are they directly linked to the lockdown? It’s complicated.
The article accurately sites a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which examined the number of excess deaths in the U.S from March to August, which claimed a 20% increase. Nearly a third of that increase did not have the coronavirus as the underlying cause. However there is no scientific evidence that the deaths were a direct result of lockdown measures.
Despite Pres. Trump’s claim, there is nothing out-of-the-ordinary about counting mail-in ballots after an election
As we enter the last few days before the U.S. Election, President Donald Trump has been ramping up his attacks on mail-in ballots and suggesting that counting them after Nov. 3 will cause fraud. There is nothing unusual about counting mail-in ballots after an election. It happens every election.