Health & medicine fact checks

Pope Francis has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Publisher’s rating: False

High levels of sulfur dioxide in Wuhan “may be a sign of mass cremations of victims of the coronavirus."

Publisher’s rating: Pants on Fire

The COVID-19 pandemic was planned, and a 2019 simulation called Event 201 was a rehearsal for it.

Publisher’s rating: False

Related reporting on the Epstein files describes Event 201 as a coronavirus-pandemic simulation involving the Gates Foundation, the World Economic Forum and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. It also reports that the files do not show that COVID-19 was planned or manufactured, or that Event 201 led to COVID-19. That evidence weighs against the claim that the pandemic was planned and Event 201 was its rehearsal: the reporting identifies a preparedness exercise, but does not present evidence that it was preparation for a planned outbreak. The article places Event 201 six weeks before the first publicly acknowledged COVID-19 cases and says the simulation considered responses by governments, pharmaceutical companies, media and social-media platforms. It attributes the interpretation that pandemic infrastructure had been built in advance to Sayer Ji, but distinguishes that claim about preparedness and potential profiteering from evidence that the pandemic itself was orchestrated. The excerpt does not provide the underlying files or describe an independent examination of them, so its account supports that distinction without establishing every detail of the broader allegation.

COVID-19-induced pneumonia is "is actually mast cell degranulation of the lungs," a type of allergic reaction.

Publisher’s rating: False

“American Red Cross tacitly admits the COVID vaccines are not safe."

Publisher’s rating: False

Killer insect bite

Publisher’s rating: False.

A Lancet study shows "natural immunity offers stronger protection than vaccination against COVID.”

Publisher’s rating: Misleading

Georgia has “almost 100,000 more (COVID-19) cases, almost twice as many deaths and almost 600 more nursing home deaths than North Carolina.”

Publisher’s rating: True

Ray Liotta died because of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Publisher’s rating: Pants on Fire

The “top ten most unhealthy U.S. cities” are San Francisco; Seattle; Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Honolulu; Washington; Austin, Texas; Irving, Texas; Portland, Maine; and Denver."

Publisher’s rating: Pants on Fire

Says the CDC now says that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days.

Publisher’s rating: False

"Joe Biden’s Covid-19 taskforce member recommends withholding food stamps and rent assistance from those who refuse coronavirus vaccines."

Publisher’s rating: False

Says Dr. Anthony Fauci wrote a paper blaming 1918-19 flu deaths on masks.

Publisher’s rating: False

Bill Gates’ daughters aren’t vaccinated.

Publisher’s rating: Pants on Fire

"It hasn't been mandatory that any adverse events are reported" to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System following COVID-19 vaccination.

Publisher’s rating: False

"If your body's pH is alkaline, you cannot get cancer. And if you have cancer, it goes away."

Publisher’s rating: False

Alemania suspende test PCR y los hospitales de España están vacíos.

Publisher’s rating: Falso

“Go look at other countries that went through exactly this, started to reopen, and then they saw the infection rate go back up again.”

Publisher’s rating: True

Dr. Phil and other celebrities are endorsing CBD gummies.

Publisher’s rating: False

"If the [COVID-19] vaccine works — and they assure us adamantly that it does work and they punish us if we question how well it works — then how can the unvaccinated possibly pose a threat to the vaccinated?"

Publisher’s rating: We Explain How