A U.S. senator who has repeatedly promoted vaccine misinformation hosted a panel discussion with several scientists and physicians known for opposing COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic safety measures. Clips from the panel have been widely shared on social media and include the false claims that asymptomatic people cannot spread COVID-19 and that people who have had COVID-19 cannot be reinfected or transmit the virus to others.
Recommendation:
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Whenever high profile politicians spread false claims, misinformation and general conversation around COVID-19 spike. Although it’s not possible to debunk each instance of misinformation, there is widespread confusion around how COVID-19 spreads and whether “natural” immunity is protective. Emphasizing that people with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 can spread the virus is recommended. Reiterating that the only safe way to acquire immunity is through vaccination, that infection-derived immunity is unpredictable, and that alternative treatments have not been shown to work against COVID-19, is also recommended. Helpful talking points can be found here. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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