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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Instagram Post Wrong on U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan

Instagram Post Wrong on U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan

Eleven American military members were killed in Afghanistan in 2020, including four in combat. But, as the U.S. nears its Aug. 31 deadline for a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, a social media post falsely claims that there weren’t any American casualties in Afghanistan in the last year-and-a-half of the Trump administration. 

Hospitals Overwhelmed by Another Surge of COVID-19 Patients, Financial Strain

Hospitals Overwhelmed by Another Surge of COVID-19 Patients, Financial Strain

The seven-day average of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. has increased by 322% in two months, straining the ability of medical staff in some states to care for patients. Despite the rising numbers, an Instagram post questioned whether COVID-19 is “truly a pandemic that was ‘overwhelming hospitals,'” if hospitals are firing nurses who refuse to be vaccinated.

Soccer Star’s Collapse Was Unrelated to COVID-19 Vaccine

Soccer Star’s Collapse Was Unrelated to COVID-19 Vaccine

Danish soccer star Christian Eriksen is recovering well after he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed during a match on June 12. But after the incident, social media posts falsely claimed he had recently been vaccinated for COVID-19 and suggested that led to his collapse. Team officials said he has not been vaccinated. 

Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 Victims Died at Home

Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 Victims Died at Home

Viral social media posts falsely claim that no one has died at home from COVID-19, implying that poor medical care contributed to the deaths or that the disease is a hoax. Nearly 10,000 coronavirus victims have died in their homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 Data-Reporting Changed, But Not Florida’s Case Count

COVID-19 Data-Reporting Changed, But Not Florida’s Case Count

As Florida’s COVID-19 case count rose to the second-highest in the U.S. in July, a former challenger for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat falsely claimed on social media that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had made a “mistake” and subsequently reduced Florida’s count by 79,000 cases. There was no such adjustment.

Bricks Were Placed for Construction, Not to Incite Protesters

Bricks Were Placed for Construction, Not to Incite Protesters

Some viral social media posts misleadingly suggest that piles of bricks are being staged ahead of the protests over the death of George Floyd to incite violence. We reviewed five social media posts making such claims and found no evidence of staging. In many cases, the bricks had been delivered for construction projects, or had been at the sites for some time.

Viral Posts Mislead on COVID-19’s Toll on Health Care Workers

Viral Posts Mislead on COVID-19’s Toll on Health Care Workers

Social media posts falsely suggest that meatpacking workers have suffered more COVID-19 cases than health care workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s an increased risk for workers in both professions, but there have been significantly more cases reported among health care employees.