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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine publishes fact checks at nationalacademies.org.

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine30 Jun 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Probiotics can help your body fight COVID-19.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Unlikely.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says: There is currently no evidence that taking probiotics can prevent or treat COVID-19.

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine23 Jun 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Ginger can treat a coronavirus infection.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False. Consuming ginger will not prevent or cure COVID-19.

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine6 May 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“COVID-19 is being spread through food.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Very unlikely

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine23 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Hand sanitizer destroys the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Likely true

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine22 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“The novel coronavirus can live on surfaces for days.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: It depends

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine20 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“COVID-19 is not like the flu.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Correct

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine20 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Eating certain foods or supplements will keep you from catching the novel coronavirus disease.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine15 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Applying heat to your skin or throat kills the virus that causes COVID-19.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine15 Apr 2020United States

Social media posts

“Cannabis can cause schizophrenia.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Unknown

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine15 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Cannabis can treat diverse diseases, ranging from Alzheimer’s to cancer to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Largely unknown

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine15 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“The spread of COVID-19 will slow down as the weather warms up.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: Unknown

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine15 Apr 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of COVID-19”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: True

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine9 Mar 2020United States Climate and environment

Social media posts

“Earth isn’t warming because cold weather and snowstorms still occur.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine9 Mar 2020United States

Social media posts

“Flu shots project against influenza.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: True

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine9 Mar 2020United States Climate and environment

Social media posts

“Global warming is causing sea level to rise.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: True

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine9 Mar 2020United States Health

Social media posts

“The HPV vaccine protects against cancer.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: True

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine5 Aug 2019United States Climate and environment

Social media posts

“Extreme weather can be linked to global warming.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: In some cases

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine31 Mar 2019United States Health

Social media posts

“Sunscreen causes skin cancer.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine31 Mar 2019United States Health

Social media posts

“There are steps you can take to lower your risk of skin cancer.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: True

Checked by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine31 Mar 2019United States

Social media posts

“Using sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency.”

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine rated this: False