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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

The Facts – and Gaps – on the Origin of the Coronavirus

The Facts – and Gaps – on the Origin of the Coronavirus

Despite increased media attention to the possibility that the novel coronavirus may have escaped from a lab, no credible evidence has emerged to support it and most scientists think the virus likely has a natural origin.

Rudy Giuliani’s Bogus Election Fraud Claims

Rudy Giuliani’s Bogus Election Fraud Claims

A New York court suspended Rudy Giuliani’s license to practice law in that state for making “demonstrably false and misleading statements” about the 2020 presidential election results. We recap some of the bogus claims that we have previously debunked.

Viral Posts, Pundits Distort Fauci Emails

Viral Posts, Pundits Distort Fauci Emails

Thousands of pages of redacted emails to and from Dr. Anthony Fauci are now publicly available, thanks to journalists’ Freedom of Information Act requests. Some of those messages have been distorted in viral posts, particularly about face masks, the origins of the coronavirus and the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine.

Is Unemployment Bonus Keeping Workers on Sideline?

Is Unemployment Bonus Keeping Workers on Sideline?

Despite a stubbornly high unemployment rate of 6.1% in April — representing 9.8 million people who say they are actively looking for work — many employers are reporting that they can’t find people to hire.

The Wuhan Lab and the Gain-of-Function Disagreement

The Wuhan Lab and the Gain-of-Function Disagreement

A disagreement between Republican Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci has put $600,000 of U.S. grant money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology back into the spotlight, while making “gain-of-function” research a household term — all amid calls for more investigation into the origins of SARS-CoV-2.

So Far, Vaccines Remain Effective Against Variants

So Far, Vaccines Remain Effective Against Variants

So far, COVID-19 vaccines have been effective against variants of the coronavirus. Scientists are monitoring the situation carefully, with updated or new vaccines a possibility in the future, if need be.

No Scientific Basis for Vaccine ‘Shedding’ Claims

No Scientific Basis for Vaccine ‘Shedding’ Claims

COVID-19 vaccines do not contain a live virus, so there isn’t a biological path for a vaccinated person to “shed” the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to those around them. Nor is there any evidence the vaccines cause reproductive problems. That means there’s no basis for social media claims that “shedding” causes reproductive issues in unvaccinated people. 

Two Views of American Families Plan

Two Views of American Families Plan

The White House and Republican National Committee are each touting different economic analyses that reach far different conclusions about the budget and economic impact of President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan.