You’ve probably seen or heard about the #PlandemicDocumentary video. It reaches many conclusions that have zero scientific support and are dangerous because they could harm your health. Here are rebuttals and references to just a few of the false claims. A thread. (1/x)
False claim #1: The novel #coronavirus was lab-made.
Truth: Genetic science allows us to understand how and when viruses emerge. Analyses by trusted scientists clearly demonstrates that the virus occurred naturally. (2/x)
Truth: Genetic science allows us to understand how and when viruses emerge. Analyses by trusted scientists clearly demonstrates that the virus occurred naturally. (2/x)
You can read the scientific paper@K_G_Andersen @scrippsresearch; @arambaut; W. Ian Lipkin; @ColumbiaMSPH; @edwardcholmes; & Robert F. Garry @Tulane here (3/x)
nature.com/articles/s4159…,
nature.com/articles/s4159…,
@PolitiFact has a great summary here of the costs of #COVID care and how the Medicare costs are calculated. politifact.com/factchecks/202…
False claim #3: #Hydroxychloroquine is effective.
Truth: This drug has been studied extensively, but for malaria (a parasite)—not for #COVID (a respiratory virus). There's no good evidence that hydroxychloroquine is a good treatment for COVID. covid-101.org/science/no-chl…
Truth: This drug has been studied extensively, but for malaria (a parasite)—not for #COVID (a respiratory virus). There's no good evidence that hydroxychloroquine is a good treatment for COVID. covid-101.org/science/no-chl…
Given the side effects of #hydroxychroloquine , it’s dangerous to take it without a doctor’s supervision. @DrSnowInBus @covid101 explains more here. covid-101.org/science/should…
False claim #4: The #flu vaccine increases your risk of COVID.
Truth: The @CDC has concluded that the flu shot will not make you more vulnerable to other respiratory infections. @factcheckdotorg debunks this myth here (9/x) factcheck.org/2020/04/no-evi…
Truth: The @CDC has concluded that the flu shot will not make you more vulnerable to other respiratory infections. @factcheckdotorg debunks this myth here (9/x) factcheck.org/2020/04/no-evi…
The false claim comes from a single, short study that focused on the common cold (which is sometimes caused by different #coronaviruses) in Department of Defense personnel. See the study here. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31607599/
However, a longer study over six years did not confirm those results. Getting the #FluVaccine was not linked with a higher risk of getting other respiratory viruses. See the study here. academic.oup.com/cid/article/57… (11/x)
False claim #5: #FluVaccine contains #coronavirus
Truth: The #FluVaccine is made by using a) inactivated (killed) influenza viruses or b) one gene from the influenza virus. Neither of these things can make you sick. And neither are related to the coronavirus family of viruses.
Truth: The #FluVaccine is made by using a) inactivated (killed) influenza viruses or b) one gene from the influenza virus. Neither of these things can make you sick. And neither are related to the coronavirus family of viruses.
Even if it feels a bit harder to breathe, wearing a cloth covering for a short period will not hurt you. If you are infected with the new coronavirus, wearing a mask will not “trigger” it, nor will it affect whether or for how long you feel sick.
False claim #7: Staying home will weaken your immune system without enough exposure to microbes.
Truth: You already have an immune system. You don’t need to ride the bus or wander around in public every day to keep your immune system functioning.
Truth: You already have an immune system. You don’t need to ride the bus or wander around in public every day to keep your immune system functioning.
The immune system is like your brain, it has a memory. Even though we haven’t seen our extended family and friends for a few months, we’ll still recognize them when we see them again. Your immune system remembers diseases the same way.
This is a tough time, and we’re all looking for answers. So it’s understandable that videos like the #PlandemicDocumentary, which look professional and seem to provide those answers (albeit false ones) can go viral.
But it’s more important than ever to investigate the facts and to resist the spread of false information. Here is a thoughtful article from @tarahaelle @Forbes with advice about how to push back.
I wrote up all these details over @covid101. covid-101.org/science/the-pl…
Link to article here! google.com/amp/s/www.forb…
