Researchers have bad news for people who wear face shields to prevent novel coronavirus infections: The equipment is woefully inadequate in containing droplets that can spread the virus. According to the results released in August, the face shield allowed nearly 100 percent of aerosol particles, which measure 5 micrometers orContinue Reading
Scientific American writes about what can be done to counter the problem of COVID-19 misinformation. In the United States, misinformation spread by elements of the media, by public leaders and by individuals with large social media platforms has contributed to a disproportionately large share of COVID-19 burden: we house 4Continue Reading
An NPR investigation has identified more than 30 medical practices in more than a dozen states promoting unproven claims that the drug thymosin alpha-1, which is administered via injection, can prevent or treat COVID-19. It is important for everyone to be cautious about claims made for alternative treatments for COVID-19.Continue Reading
A paper that has not been peer-reviewed reaches faulty conclusions to advance the unsubstantiated claim that the novel coronavirus was bioengineered in a Chinese lab, according to immunology and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. One of the study’s main claims is that the “genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is suspiciously similar to that ofContinue Reading
If we don’t analyse statistics for a living, it’s easy to be taken in by misinformation about COVID-19 statistics on social media, especially if we don’t have the right context. Jacques Raubenheimer a Senior Research Fellow of Biostatistics at the University of Sydney explains five of the most common statisticalContinue Reading
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, hand sanitizers have become a sought-after staple of life in a Covid-19-afflicted world. But supply chains have been turned upside down in our new normal, and some sketchy suppliers have at times stepped in to fill the vacuum. Forbes reports on how theContinue Reading
Anecdotes and data often appear side by side in news stories about the pandemic. And data can be interpreted in multiple ways. Here’s what to look for. With COVID-19, a news story that may be 100% accurate can still unintentionally mislead readers about the greatest threats of the pandemic. TheContinue Reading
An analysis of more than 200 million tweets discussing the coronavirus suggests 45%-60% come from bots. A Carnegie Mellon University team analyzed more than 200 million tweets discussing coronavirus or COVID-19 since January. The found that 82% of the top 50 most influential coronavirus/COVID-19 retweeters were bots, as were 62% of theContinue Reading
Trying to “work through it” can make it much worse and even lead to myocarditis in some patients. Runners World explains how new evidence shows that exercise can indeed make COVID-19 worse. This goes against my personal exercise philosophy that burpees cure pretty much everything and the advice I haveContinue Reading
State officials and federal agencies warn there’s a new phone scam circulating: Some callers posing as COVID-19 contact tracers try to pry credit card or bank account information from unsuspecting victims. In one such scheme, detailed in a warning from the Montana attorney general, scammers tell their victims, “I’m calling fromContinue Reading
