Facebook Twitter Tumblr Close Skip to main content
A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Viral Posts Distort WHO Guidance on COVID-19 Tests

Viral Posts Distort WHO Guidance on COVID-19 Tests

Dubious websites and viral posts falsely claim that the World Health Organization changed COVID-19 testing protocols for political reasons following Joe Biden’s inauguration and admitted that false-positive cases had been inflating the case count. The WHO’s guidance merely reminded labs to follow instructions provided by each test’s manufacturer.

What Do the New Coronavirus Variants Mean for the Pandemic?

What Do the New Coronavirus Variants Mean for the Pandemic?

Q: What are the risks of the newly identified coronavirus variants?
A: It’s not yet known whether mutant versions cause more severe disease, but some are likely more contagious. Scientists expect vaccines will work but are monitoring the situation.

Trump Baselessly Alleges COVID-19 Vaccine Announcement Was Delayed

Trump Baselessly Alleges COVID-19 Vaccine Announcement Was Delayed

In a series of tweets, President Donald Trump claimed — without evidence — that the pharma company Pfizer and his own FDA purposely held off on releasing positive interim results about a COVID-19 vaccine candidate until after the election.

Doctors in Video Falsely Equate COVID-19 With a ‘Normal Flu Virus’

Doctors in Video Falsely Equate COVID-19 With a ‘Normal Flu Virus’

A video posted by a European-based group called World Doctors Alliance falsely claims the novel coronavirus is “a normal flu virus” and there is no COVID-19 pandemic. Actually, COVID-19 is deadlier than the seasonal flu, and some European nations are combatting a second wave of cases.

Report Resurrects Baseless Claim that Coronavirus Was Bioengineered

Report Resurrects Baseless Claim that Coronavirus Was Bioengineered

A paper that has not been peer-reviewed reaches faulty conclusions to advance the unsubstantiated claim that the novel coronavirus was bioengineered in a Chinese lab, according to immunology and microbiology experts. The paper’s claims were amplified by Fox News, anyway.

Trump’s Baseless Claim of Russian Support for Biden

Trump’s Baseless Claim of Russian Support for Biden

In recent weeks, Trump administration officials have described attempts by Russia to undermine Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. Yet, contrary to official statements and actions by his own officials, President Donald Trump said that Russia “probably” wants Biden to win.

Biden’s False Statement About the Trade Deficit

Biden’s False Statement About the Trade Deficit

In a campaign speech in Warren, Michigan, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden falsely claimed that the United States’ trade deficit had “hit an all-time high” under President Donald Trump.

Q&A on Coronavirus Vaccines

Q&A on Coronavirus Vaccines

We give an overview of the vaccine development efforts underway and answer some questions about the testing process, the likelihood and timing of a vaccine in the U.S., and what to expect from a COVID-19 vaccine.

Trump Touts Misleading and Flawed Excess Mortality Statistic

Trump Touts Misleading and Flawed Excess Mortality Statistic

On six separate occasions, President Donald Trump has claimed that Europe’s excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic is 33% to 40% higher than America’s. But that’s only possible when cherry-picking numbers or ignoring Europe’s larger population.