copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-11-10): In another iteration of those claims, cardiologist Peter McCullough claimed that a study by Jorgensen et al., published in October 2023[7], showed "No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy". McCullough also claimed that the study indicated that COVID-19 vaccination posed a risk during pregnancy because "the crude data show a higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers". [...] The study showed that COVID-19 vaccination isn’t dangerous for pregnancy [...] SF: Did your research find an increased rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies from vaccinated mothers?
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-11-15): Going against the now-extensive record on COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy, a recent Instagram post claimed that there is "No Discernable Benefit of COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy." The post was quoting a Substack newsletter from Dr. Peter McCullough, a prolific spreader of vaccine misinformation. The newsletter focused on the new JAMA Pediatrics study on vaccine safety, also claiming that it found "No Assurances on Safety." [...] McCullough misused two pieces of raw data from the JAMA Pediatrics study to incorrectly imply that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is unsafe and ineffective. He ignored the primary results of the paper supporting the safety of maternal COVID-19 vaccination for babies, as well as the larger body of data showing maternal COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. [...] DeSilva and Vazquez-Benitez added that the study did not show an increased risk for neonatal readmission with additional COVID-19 vaccine doses received during pregnancy. The study also followed babies through 6 months of age and found a similar rate of hospital readmission regardless of maternal vaccination status.
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-09-26): The Danish Health Authority has completed a thorough assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of the vaccination programme and has recommended to the Ministry of the Interior and Health of Denmark (MIHD) that a permanent vaccination offer is introduced for pregnant women.
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-08-11): The pandemic had a devastating impact on maternal health care systems across the nation with three out of five patients experiencing modified or cancelled appointments [4]. Additionally, patients experienced wide variation in hospital visitor policy [5, 6], alterations in their birth plan [5, 7, 8], unnecessary obstetric interventions [9,10,11], inadequate postpartum and breastfeeding support [8], and early discharge from the hospital [10, 12, 13]. Women were ushered out of hospitals quickly to avoid potential exposure [13], increasing their likelihood of experiencing a negative postpartum outcome [10]. Once home, they found themselves isolated with a newborn and inadequate postpartum care for their physical and mental health needs [14]. The abridged time they had to learn about postpartum and newborn care caused higher readmission rates for newborns, especially among first time mothers [12]. [...] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on COVID-19 during pregnancy: severity of maternal illness. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/119588 [Accessed 5th April 2023].
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-11-05): Many pregnant women felt pushed into COVID-19 vaccination. During the registrational randomized trials, child-bearing age and pregnant women were excluded from receiving the genetic vaccines because of a traditional concern over safety with any new medicinal product. [...] Jorgensen et al used Canadian automated health record data in an attempt to reassure the public on vaccine safety. As an epidemiologist, I am not comforted. We know the vaccines have a dangerous mechanism of action causing uncontrolled production of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in the mother’s body. The Spike protein circulates for six months or more in the bloodstream and directly damages vital organs and causes both blood clotting and bleeding. None of these are healthy for a pregnant woman. The authors took 182,324 pregnancies during the vaccine period and whittled them down by excluding many cases particularly unlinked mother-baby records. Thus there is no data reported on fatal loss (miscarriage, stillbirth). If a vaccinated mother delivered, then took the baby home and but had to rush the child back to a different clinic or hospital for seizures, hemorrhage, etc., the baby’s medical record would not be linked to the mothers EMR identifier since the infant would be admitted alone as a single new patient.
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2024-07-01): Numerous studies throughout the world have shown improved pregnancy outcomes with vaccination. Vaccination is now the most effective intervention for improving neonatal morbidity due to SARS-CoV-2 and can be given at any time during pregnancy. In a population-based cohort study of 142,006 live births in Ontario, Canada, maternal mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was associated with lower risks of severe neonatal morbidity, neonatal death, and neonatal intensive care unit admission and no increase in neonatal readmission or hospital admission up to age 6 months, compared with no maternal COVID-19 vaccination before delivery [7]. In another multicenter review of nine observational studies involving 81,349 vaccinated and 255,346 unvaccinated individuals during pregnancy, Watanabe et al. found COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy to be associated with lower risk of NICU admission and intrauterine fetal death with no statistically significant association with preterm birth, small for gestational age status, or low Apgar score. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage, and chorioamnionitis [8]. [...] Vaccination during pregnancy, in addition to being safe and effective, may also protect infants after delivery. Goh et al. showed that vaccination during pregnancy provided some protection against COVID-19–related hospitalizations among infants, particularly those aged <3 months [10]. Simeone et al. showed that maternal mRNA vaccination was associated with a lower risk of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection among infants up to 6 months of age only if the vaccine was given during the antenatal period [11].
Claim: “No discernible benefit of covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy”; “higher rate of neonatal and all-cause readmissions among babies born to vaccinated mothers” (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-11)
Evidence (2023-04-26): Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy significantly reduces the chance that a baby will be hospitalized for COVID-19, new data shows. The study from the CDC found that vaccines were 54% effective at protecting infants from COVID-19 hospitalization in the first 3 months of life, and 35% effective at protecting babies from ages 3 months through 5 months old. Infants can be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting at 6 months old. Infants who were hospitalized with COVID-19 whose mothers were unvaccinated were more likely to need help breathing, compared to infants whose mothers had been vaccinated. For the study, researchers analyzed data for 716 babies hospitalized between March 2022 and May 2023. Among the babies in the study, 377 were hospitalized with COVID-19. Mothers were considered vaccinated if they’d had at least two COVID vaccines, one of which was given during pregnancy. All other mothers of babies in the study were unvaccinated. Vaccinated mothers pass antibodies against COVID-19 through the placenta to the fetus. The authors noted that a limitation of the study was that prior infection of mothers was not analyzed, including among unvaccinated mothers. They also said it is possible that "infection-induced antibodies could provide some protection against infant COVID-19–related hospitalization." "Maternal vaccination during pregnancy provides some protection against COVID-19–related hospitalizations among infants, particularly those aged less than 3 months," the authors wrote. "Expectant mothers should remain current with COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and their infants from hospitalization and severe outcomes associated with COVID-19."
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2021-04-16): Factors like nutrition, genetics and age can influence an individual’s susceptibility to a microorganism, such as a virus or a bacteria. These factors make individuals more or less likely to develop infections after they were exposed to a microorganism. That being said, even individuals who are young and healthy can develop infectious diseases because the cause of infectious diseases is still the microorganism.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2024-05-01): Viral infections are any illness you get from a virus (a small germ that uses your cells to reproduce). Common viral illnesses include colds, the flu, COVID-19, norovirus ("stomach flu"), HPV (warts) and herpes simplex virus (cold sores). Many viruses go away on their own, but some cause life-threatening or chronic illnesses. Viral infections are illnesses you get from tiny organisms that use your cells to make more copies of themselves (viruses). Viral infections commonly cause respiratory and digestive illnesses, but viruses can also infect most other parts of your body. A virus is a type of germ (pathogen) that’s so small, you can only see it under a microscope. All viruses carry a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside a protective coating (capsid). You can think of it like an envelope carrying instructions. Our cells, on the other hand, are like an entire factory: They contain instructions and all the equipment needed to carry them out. These instructions tells us how to build proteins and make more cells.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2022-02-18): Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. [...] - Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS. [...] Person to person. Infectious diseases commonly spread through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses or other germs from one person to another. This can happen when an individual with the bacterium or virus touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who isn't infected.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2024-10-08): In humans, influenza viruses first cause infection by infecting epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. Illness during infection is primarily the result of lung inflammation and compromise caused by epithelial cell infection and death, combined with inflammation caused by the immune system's response to infection. Non-respiratory organs can become involved, but the mechanisms by which influenza is involved in these cases are unknown. Severe respiratory illness can be caused by multiple, non-exclusive mechanisms, including obstruction of the airways, loss of alveolar structure, loss of lung epithelial integrity due to epithelial cell infection and death, and degradation of the extracellular matrix that maintains lung structure. In particular, alveolar cell infection appears to drive severe symptoms since this results in impaired gas exchange and enables viruses to infect endothelial cells, which produce large quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines.[17] [...] In 1931, Richard Shope published three papers identifying a virus as the cause of swine influenza, a then newly recognized disease among pigs that was characterized during the second wave of the 1918 pandemic.[68][69] Shope's research reinvigorated research on human influenza, and many advances in virology, serology, immunology, experimental animal models, vaccinology, and immunotherapy have since arisen from influenza research.[69] Just two years after influenza viruses were discovered, in 1933, influenza A virus was identified as the agent responsible for human influenza.[68][73] Subtypes of influenza A virus were discovered throughout the 1930s,[69] and influenza B virus was discovered in 1940.[23]
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2023-10-31): Viruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases, including the common cold, measles, chicken pox, genital herpes, and influenza. Many of the emerging infectious diseases, such as AIDS and SARS, are caused by viruses. [...] Infection does not necessarily lead to disease. Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease, which typically happens in a small proportion of infected people, occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection, and signs and symptoms of an illness appear. [...] Pathogenic microbes challenge the immune system in many ways. Viruses make us sick by killing cells or disrupting cell function. Our bodies often respond with fever (heat inactivates many viruses), the secretion of a chemical called interferon (which blocks viruses from reproducing), or by marshaling the immune system’s antibodies and other cells to target the invader. Many bacteria make us sick the same way, but they also have other strategies at their disposal. Sometimes bacteria multiply so rapidly they crowd out host tissues and disrupt normal function. Sometimes they kill cells and tissues outright. Sometimes they make toxins that can paralyze, destroy cells’ metabolic machinery, or precipitate a massive immune reaction that is itself toxic.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2023-06-21): Viral diseases are caused by viruses. They can impact many parts of your body, including your respiratory system, digestive tract, and skin. Viruses are very small infectious agents. They’re made up of a piece of genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, that’s enclosed in a coat of protein. [...] A viral disease is any illness or health condition caused by a virus. Read on to learn more about some of the main types of viral diseases:
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (1999-10-01): Viruses are very tiny germs. They are made of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) inside of a protein coating. There are a huge number of viruses on earth. Only a small number of them can infect humans. Those viruses can infect our cells, which may cause disease. Some of the diseases that viruses can cause include the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and HIV. [...] How do viruses cause disease? Viruses are like hijackers. They invade living, normal cells. They then use those cells to multiply (make copies of themselves). This process is also called replication. The process can kill, damage, or change the infected cells. Sometimes this can make you sick. The symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Other times, your immune system may be able to fight it off and you may not have any symptoms.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2022-12-07): Writer Cora Harrington said on Twitter that she got some "weird as hell virus" that made her "basically unconscious for a couple days," calling it "one of the strangest illnesses I've ever had." [...] Doctors from at least three continents say that many different viruses — not just flu and COVID — are having a real "party" this year. People also shouldn't discount the idea that a COVID, RSV, or flu test taken early on may not necessarily go positive. Here's what to consider if you're feeling feverish right now. [...] If you have a fever and a sore throat or cough, experts like Gulick suggest getting tested for two respiratory viruses: flu and COVID. If you test postitive for either one, antiviral drugs may help you recover faster and safer from your infection, especially if you're elderly or in a high-risk group.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2023-02-04): Bacteria cause bacterial infections. Viruses cause viral infections. Antibiotic medicines kill or keep many bacteria from growing but don't treat viruses. Antiviral medicines help the body clear out some viruses. [...] Viruses are bits of genetic information, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. A virus needs a living host, such as a person, plant or animal. To spread, a virus gets into a host's body and then into the host's cells. Then it takes over the host cell's machinery, using it to make more of the virus. Diseases caused by viruses include:
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2022-08-15): When you say that one event causes another you may be saying that the first event is: Both necessary and sufficientNecessary but not sufficientSufficient but not necessaryNeither necessary nor sufficient Real-World Examples All four circumstances are types of causality that occur in the real world. Some examples are: Necessary but not sufficient: A person must be living with HIV before they can develop AIDS. HIV infection is, therefore, a necessary cause of AIDS. However, since every person with HIV does not develop AIDS, it is not sufficient to cause AIDS. You may need more than just HIV infection for AIDS to occur. Sufficient but not necessary: Decapitation is sufficient to cause death; however, people can die in many other ways. Therefore, decapitation is not necessary to cause death. Neither necessary nor sufficient: Gonorrhea is neither necessary nor sufficient to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A person can have gonorrhea without ever developing PID. They can also have PID without ever having acquired gonorrhea. Both necessary and sufficient: A gene mutation associated with Tay-Sachs is both necessary and sufficient for the development of the disease. Everyone with the mutation will eventually develop Tay-Sachs.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2021-05-04): FULL CLAIM: "Exposure to a virus is not the same as infection […] That means that a virus is not the cause of an illness. You can’t get a common cold without the virus. [...] On 6 April 2021, comedian Russel Brand posted a video on his Facebook page of him interviewing neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, a professor at Northeastern University. In the video, Barrett argued that "a virus is not the cause of an illness". She explained that though the viruses are a necessary cause because "you can’t get the common cold without the virus," they are not the cause [Barrett’s emphasis]. The video received more than 390,000 views and more than 16,000 interactions on Facebook, including likes and comments. [...] Although people varied in their susceptibility to developing the disease, the rhinovirus was still the cause of participants’ cold symptoms in the study. Without receiving the nasal drop containing the rhinovirus, none of the patients would have developed a cold. When discussing the causes and outcomes of a disease, distinguishing between a "necessary cause" and "cause," and describing chronic stress as a cause rather than a contributing factor, as Barrett did, is imprecise and potentially misleading.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2024-10-09): Examples of common human diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, and cold sores. Many serious diseases such as rabies, Ebola virus disease, AIDS (HIV), avian influenza, and SARS are caused by viruses. The relative ability of viruses to cause disease is described in terms of virulence. Other diseases are under investigation to discover if they have a virus as the causative agent, such as the possible connection between human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome.[108] There is controversy over whether the bornavirus, previously thought to cause neurological diseases in horses, could be responsible for psychiatric illnesses in humans.[109]
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2020-03-13): Viruses are the most common biological entities on Earth. Experts estimate there are around 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 of them, and if they were all lined up they would stretch from one side of the galaxy to the other. [...] Viruses rely on the cells of other organisms to survive and reproduce, because they can’t capture or store energy themselves. In other words they cannot function outside a host organism, which is why they are often regarded as non-living. [...] Viruses are like predators with a specific prey they can recognise and attack. Viruses that do not recognise our cells will be harmless, and some others will infect us but will have no consequences for our health.
Claim: “…a virus is not the cause of an illness. It’s a necessary cause […] but it is not the cause.” (Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2021-04-16)
Evidence (2023-03-28): People who have pre-existing health problems are at higher risk when they have COVID-19; they should seek medical help early if worried about their condition. These include, but are not limited to: those taking immunosuppressive medication; those with chronic heart, lung, liver or rheumatological problems; those with HIV, diabetes, cancer or dementia. [...] People aged 60 years and over, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, other chronic health problems (for example those affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain), low immune function / immunosuppression (including HIV), obesity, cancer, and unvaccinated people are most at risk of severe illness. [...] Anyone with symptoms such as acute onset of fever and cough should be tested, wherever possible, to ensure that they receive appropriate clinical care. People who do not have symptoms but have had close contact with someone who is, or may be, infected may also consider testing. Contact your local health guidelines and follow their guidance.