The confluence of antivaccine beliefs and conspiracy theories in COVID-19 denial
It surprised some people that after the COVID-19 pandemic hit our shores antivaxxers so quickly joined forces with COVID-19 conspiracy theorists. It shouldn't have been a surprise. Antivaxxer beliefs are themselves rooted deep in conspiracy theories.
“Health Freedom” group promotes legislation negating masks, other public health measures
National Health Freedom Action is promoting state legislation that would block enforcement of public health measures (e.g., mask wearing and social distancing) during epidemics and other emergencies. The organization and its allies embrace junk science and have successfully passed laws protecting quacks.
Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
To what extent is SARS-CoV-2 airborne, and what does this mean in terms of preventing spread?
Edzard Ernst Tackles Chiropractic
Edzard Ernst's new book is a handy, comprehensive reference for all things chiropractic.
Joe Mercola: Falsely demonizing the flu vaccine by claiming it increases your risk of COVID-19
September is the time of the year when the CDC, state public health authorities, and doctors urge everyone to be vaccinated against the flu. In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, that means antivaxxers like Joe Mercola have a new angle to demonize the flu vaccine: Falsely claiming it increases your risk of catching COVID-19.
ZShield: Unproven Protection from SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Especially for Kids
If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. And ZShield face shields being marketed to the general public certainly fits that description, especially when it comes to their use by children.
Turmeric for osteoarthritis: Promising but modest effects
A new trial of turmeric (curcumin) for osteoarthritis suggest it may have medicinal effects.
AI and Peer Review
Could Artificial Intelligence be the tool we need to fix the problems with science?
Plexus: MLM Strikes Again
Many health-related products are sold through multilevel marketing (MLM); now the FTC is warning them to stop making false claims about COVID-19. The tactics that MLMs use to promote all their products are deceptive and are a variation on the old Ponzi scam.
In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, can we trust the CDC and FDA any more?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the US, increasing concern has been expressed about the politicization of the CDC and FDA due to pressure from the Trump administration to downplay the severity of the pandemic and push out treatments and a vaccine as fast as possible, potentially at the expense of safety. This has led me to a disturbing question: Can I trust...
Health Narratives on Social Media