copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2021-12-14): The effect of COVID-19 vaccination in Italy and perspectives for living with the virus [...] Struttura Commissariale per l’Emergenza Covid-19. Open data on COVID-19 vaccination in Italy. Available at https://github.com/italia/covid19-opendata-vaccini. Accessed on Oct 15, 2021. [...] Marziano, V. et al. Code and data of article "The effect of COVID-19 vaccination in Italy and perspectives for living with the virus". Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5703240. Deposited on Nov 15, 2021.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2021-12-14): The effect of COVID-19 vaccination in Italy and perspectives for living with the virus - PMID: 34907206 - PMCID: PMC8671442 - DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27532-w The effect of COVID-19 vaccination in Italy and perspectives for living with the virus
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2024-10-02): Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with brain functional, structural, and cognitive changes that persist months after infection. Most studies of the neurologic outcomes related to COVID-19 focus on severe infection and aging populations. Here, we investigated the neural activities underlying COVID-19 related outcomes in a case-control study of mildly infected youth enrolled in a longitudinal study in Lombardy, Italy, a global hotspot of COVID-19. All participants (13 cases, 27 controls, mean age 24 years) completed resting-state functional (fMRI), structural MRI, cognitive assessments (CANTAB spatial working memory) at baseline (pre-COVID) and follow-up (post-COVID). Using graph theory eigenvector centrality (EC) and data-driven statistical methods, we examined differences in ECdelta (i.e., the difference in EC values pre- and post-COVID-19) and Volumetricdelta (i.e., the difference in cortical volume of cortical and subcortical areas pre- and post-COVID) between COVID-19 cases and controls. We found that ECdelta significantly between COVID-19 and healthy participants in five brain regions; right intracalcarine cortex, right lingual gyrus, left hippocampus, left amygdala, left frontal orbital cortex. The left hippocampus showed a significant decrease in Volumetricdelta between groups (p = 0.041).
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2023-11-08): Study in Italy didn’t show COVID-19 vaccines have an "unacceptable" safety profile, contrary to claim by Peter McCullough [...] In late October 2023, a claim that a study found "nearly 1 in 3 COVID-19 vaccine recipients suffered neurological side effects" made the rounds on the Internet. The claim originates from an Epoch Times article, which is in turn based on a Substack article by cardiologist Peter McCullough. McCullough has figured prominently in the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. The Epoch Times posted the same claim on Instagram, receiving more than 11,000 likes. In his Substack article, McCullough cited a study by researchers in Italy, which surveyed vaccinated people to measure the number of neurological adverse events occurring after COVID-19 vaccination. He claimed the study showed "a shocking 31.2% of respondents to this large dataset sustained neurologic injury after two injections with verified data in health registries" and called the safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccines "unacceptable".
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2024-07-18): The authors investigated the safety profile of MF59-adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines in more than 1,700 subjects aged 6 months to 18 years. Subjects in the MF59-adjuvanted group experienced a higher percentage of local and systemic reactions, such as injection site reactions or irritability. The group receiving adjuvanted influenza vaccines did not experience an increase in the incidence of serious adverse events. [...] The authors evaluated safety data from 64 clinical trials involving 20,000 recipients of MF59-containing seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Other than an increased risk of local and systemic reactions such as injection site reactions or irritability, vaccine recipients had a lower risk of cardiovascular events, new onset chronic diseases, or death.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2023-02-25): Mild neurological effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include weakness, numbness, headache, dizziness, imbalance, fatigue, muscle spasms, joint pain, and restless leg syndrome are more common, while tremors, tinnitus, and herpes zoster are less common. On the other hand, severe neurological complications included Bell's palsy, Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), stroke, seizures, anaphylaxis, and demyelinating syndromes such as transverse myelitis and acute encephalomyelitis [10]. Among these, the most dangerous neurological complication caused by COVID-19 vaccines, especially adenovirus-based, is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in women of childbearing age [8]. [...] Hosseini, R., Askari, N. A review of neurological side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. Eur J Med Res 28, 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-00992-0
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2019-09-24): Short-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers: a multicenter study in Iran [...] Reactogenicity refers to a subset of reactions that occur soon after vaccination, and are a physical manifestation of the inflammatory response to vaccination. In clinical trials, information on expected signs and symptoms after vaccination is actively sought (or ‘solicited’). These symptoms may include pain, redness, swelling or induration for injected vaccines, and systemic symptoms, such as fever, myalgia, headache, or rash. The broader term ‘safety’ profile refers to all adverse events (AEs) that could potentially be caused/triggered or worsened at any time after vaccination, and includes AEs, such as anaphylactic reactions, diseases diagnosed after vaccination and autoimmune events. [...] Pre-clinical evaluation investigating injection-site reactions and the toxicological profile of vaccines is a prerequisite to the initiation of clinical trials in which safety and efficacy are established. However, while preclinical studies are critical to identify signals that would prevent their use in humans, evaluation in the early phase of clinical development is needed to confirm the safety profile of the vaccine in humans. Systematic collection of safety data in clinical trials follows guidelines set out by competent regulatory agencies, such as the European Medicines Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization (WHO). Authorities also advise on the size of the safety database needed to provide reasonable assurance that the reactogenicity and safety profile of the vaccine is acceptable.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2022-05-17): The most commonly reported adverse events with COVID-19 vaccines are expected vaccine side effects, such as headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills and pain at the site of injection. The occurrence of these adverse events is consistent with what is already known about the vaccines from clinical trials. [...] A: Short term reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue or headache are common following any vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines. These reactions usually pass in a day or two. If new evidence becomes available that suggests a specific serious adverse event may be linked to a particular COVID-19 vaccine, then regulators will take action by working collaboratively on a global basis and liaise with public health authorities. The type of actions that can be taken depend on the nature of the adverse event, and could range from issuing safety warnings for patients, healthcare professionals and the community; updating the product information or consumer information for the vaccine to show contraindications for the use in particular patients (e.g. those with certain co-morbidities); to closely monitoring adverse events in certain groups of patients; preventing the release of a particular batch of vaccine through to temporary suspension of the use of the vaccine until more is known.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-05-13): Face masks help to limit contact with infectious droplets which carry pathogens. However, the material used for face masks are still porous enough to allow gas molecules, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, to pass through, and do not significantly impair gas exchange to the point of causing hypercapnia. No scientific evidence supports the claim that the use of face masks weakens the immune system.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2023-05-19): People do report feelings of discomfort, such shortness of breath, when they engage in physical activity while using face masks. But unlike long COVID symptoms, these feelings dissipate when they take off the masks. When researchers have measured physiological changes related to wearing masks, such as the concentration of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood, the effects have been minimal. [...] Nor is it the first time the authors of the review have claimed face masks could have harmful effects. Several of the authors speculated in a review published in March that masks might have caused stillbirths and other health issues. But this was an extrapolation based on studies exposing animals to carbon dioxide — and ignored the fact that masks don’t increase levels of the gas in humans in any clinically meaningful way. The Daily Mail nevertheless covered the paper in a story with an alarming headline, screenshots of which have been widely shared on social media. [...] Kisielinski, Kai et al. "Possible Toxicity of Chronic Carbon Dioxide Exposure Associated with Face Mask Use, Particularly in Pregnant Women, Children and Adolescents – A Scoping Review." Heliyon. 3 Mar 2023.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2022-10-07): Our reported data confirm the urgent need to inform the general public about the importance of wearing single-use face masks for shorter periods of time with respect to the current common practice, replacing them more frequently or, alternatively, sanitizing them properly. This is imperative especially in closed environments, where heat, humidity and CO2 produced by human breath, as well as the morphological nature of the mask, create a breeding ground for many kinds of life forms. However, disinfection or sterilization methods should be treated with caution, as they must guarantee effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, that the mask is not damaged and does not lose its filtration capacity, and that they are not harmful to the person wearing the mask41.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-05-08): Breathing in excessive carbon dioxide is dangerous for the body. Some people with preexisting respiratory illnesses may face health issues only with prolonged use of tight-fitting masks, such as respirators. [...] During the COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic in the spring of 2020, questions arose about protective measures. Social media users shared related images, and in one case, a newspaper column claimed that continual or prolonged use of face masks resulted in breathing too much of one's own exhaled carbon dioxide, which can lead to health concerns. [...] The CO2 will slowly build up in the mask over time. However, the level of CO2 likely to build up in the mask is mostly tolerable to people exposed to it. You might get a headache but you most likely [would] not suffer the symptoms observed at much higher levels of CO2. The mask can become uncomfortable for a variety of reasons including a sensitivity to CO2 and the person will be motivated to remove the mask. It is unlikely that wearing a mask will cause hypercapnia.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2023-01-01): Possible toxicity of chronic carbon dioxide exposure associated with face mask use, particularly in pregnant women, children and adolescents - A scoping review - PMID: 37057051 - PMCID: PMC9981272 - DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14117 Possible toxicity of chronic carbon dioxide exposure associated with face mask use, particularly in pregnant women, children and adolescents - A scoping review [...] Carbon dioxide increases with face masks but remains below short-term NIOSH limits.BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Apr 16;21(1):354. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06056-0. BMC Infect Dis. 2021. PMID: 33858372 Free PMC article.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-10-02): Contrary to viral claims, wearing surgical masks or cloth face coverings does not restrict the amount of oxygen a person breathes in, nor does it cause a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, according to a study published Friday in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society. [...] Some residents argued against the order, suggesting that wearing masks could lead people to inhale too much carbon dioxide. At least one other resident said without evidence that masks were "literally killing people." [...] Campos and colleagues tested the effects of wearing a typical surgical mask on the body's ability to take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2019-10-01): Face masks could raise pollution risks
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2021-04-16): Carbon dioxide increases with face masks but remains below short-term NIOSH limits - PMID: 33858372 - PMCID: PMC8049746 - DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06056-0 Carbon dioxide increases with face masks but remains below short-term NIOSH limits [...] Conclusion: Although, significant increase in CO2 concentrations are noted with routinely used face-masks, the levels still remain within the NIOSH limits for short-term use. Therefore, there should not be a concern in their regular day-to-day use for healthcare providers. The clinical implications of elevated CO2 levels with long-term use of face masks needs further studies. Use of PAPR prevents relative hypercapnoea. However, whether PAPR should be advocated for healthcare workers requiring PPE for extended hours needs to evaluated in further studies.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-06-13): Vinita Dubey, associate medical officer of health at Toronto Public Health, told AFP that if worn correctly, a cloth mask is unlikely to reduce oxygen enough that the wearer would pass out and that "prolonged use of a face mask, including the N95, has not been shown to cause carbon dioxide toxicity in healthy people". [...] AFP also took aim at a viral video in which a woman claimed that mask-wearing hurts the immune system and does not protect from COVID-19. [...] As to whether masks hurt the immune system, Sheeley Payne, of the University of Texas, told AFP, "there is no evidence that masks or gloves reduce the normal microbiota or predispose people to opportunistic infections".
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-07-05): Yet health myths about masks flood social media — people worry that wearing masks will lower oxygen levels or cause carbon dioxide poisoning. Others fear they'll develop bacterial infections from moist, sweaty masks or weaken their immune system's ability to fight off colds. [...] As for whether masks might compromise one's immune system, Schaffner said "that's malarkey." [...] "I can pretty much guarantee to you that wearing a mask intermittently throughout the day or even all day long is not going to weaken your immune system," he said.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2023-04-28): The paper, authored by German researchers and featured in a sensational Daily Mail article that described the findings as "explosive", reviewed numerous studies regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) exposure and face masks. [...] Running through those findings, Dr Trauer told CheckMate he was "happy to accept" that masks increase the amount of carbon dioxide inhaled by wearers and that — based on the studies listed — they "probably" increase the concentration of CO2 in humans. [...] Finally, the Daily Mail article prominently features a link to another story which alleges that "wearing a mask can expose children to dangerous levels of carbon dioxide in just three minutes".
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2021-04-16): Carbon dioxide increases with face masks but remains below short-term NIOSH limits [...] Gillespie C. Does wearing a face mask reduce oxygen- and can it increase CO2 levels? Here's What Experts Say. Health 2020. Retrieved from https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels [...] Rhee, M.S.M., Lindquist, C.D., Silvestrini, M.T. et al. Carbon dioxide increases with face masks but remains below short-term NIOSH limits. BMC Infect Dis 21, 354 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06056-0
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-07-24): The WHO says: "The prolonged use of medical masks when properly worn, does not cause CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. [...] Claim: Masks can cause carbon dioxide poisoning [...] Claim: Masks harm the immune system
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-08-13): No. There have been false reports that face masks can lead to carbon dioxide poisoning (known as hypercapnia) from re-breathing the air we normally breathe out. But this is not true. Carbon dioxide molecules are very tiny, even smaller than respiratory droplets. They cannot be trapped by breathable materials like disposable masks. In fact, surgeons wear tight fitting masks all day as part of their jobs, without any harm. [...] Can masks lead to a weaker immune system by putting the body under stress? No. Wearing a face mask does not weaken your immune system or increase your chances of getting sick if exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Wearing a mask, even if you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, helps prevent the virus from spreading.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-10-10): Oxygen is 0.120 nanometers, and carbon dioxide is 0.232 nanometers.Respiratory droplets are typically 5000 to 10,000 nanometers in diameter.The filtration pores in a cloth mask are typically between 10 nanometers and 6000 nanometers. Put simply, "math and physics" verify that face masks cannot stop the flow of respiratory gases, but they can stop respiratory droplets, Poston says. Can I Just Cover My Mouth With a Mask? In short, absolutely not, says Poston. In order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, you cover your mouth and nose. Consider a recent study in Nature Medicine, which showed that mucus-producing cells in the nose had the highest levels of COVID-19 proteins, further emphasizing why it’s necessary for your face to be covered from the bridge of your nose to your chin. WHO: Fabric Face Masks Should Have 3 Layers And as for the rumor that wearing a mask can cause a weakened immune system, it’s just not the case, Poston says. "Your immune system is exposed to pathogens of all sorts throughout your lifetime," she says. "Wearing a mask to decrease exposure to respiratory pathogens will not have a significant impact on the function of your immune system.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2020-08-03): FACT: The prolonged use of medical masks* when properly worn, DOES NOT cause CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency The prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. While wearing a medical mask, make sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp.
Claim: Wearing face masks can cause carbon dioxide toxicity; can weaken immune system (Facebook users, 2020-05-13)
Evidence (2023-10-31): Wearing a mask has general benefits. The main benefit of mask-wearing is that it may keep you from inhaling any respiratory hazards, such as particles of dust or smoke and germs. Additionally, wearing a mask can protect others and reduce the spread of infections if you have an illness. 1. Protects You From Poor Air Quality Wearing a mask can protect your respiratory system and general health when there is bad air quality because of pollutants. Categories of bad air quality range from moderate to hazardous on the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI measures levels of the following pollutants with Clean Air Act regulations: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide: gases from motor vehicles and industrial processes Ground-level ozone: gas from the atmosphere referred to as smog when it reaches the ground Particle pollution: particles made of sulfate, nitrate, carbon, and mineral dust chemicals 2. Reduces Exposure to Allergens Especially if you have pollen allergies, wearing a mask could decrease allergen exposure. A mask that covers your mask and nose can help filter out pollen or irritants. Masks also change the moisture and temperature level of the air you breathe in, further reducing allergy symptoms. 3.