jpd459/healthver_resplit_larger huggingface dataset:
Claim: High blood pressure may mean higher risk of hospitalization or severe illness.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with hypertension?
Evidence: obesity represents the strongest predictor for Covid-19 followed by diabetes and hypertension in both sexes
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Tea also contains catechins , including ECGC, which act like a cleanup crew against free radicals.
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Lack of specific drug molecules or treatment strategy against this disease makes it more devastating. Thus, there is an urgent need of effective drug molecules to fight against COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: CORONAVIRUS first emerged from a seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan but that theory has been challenged.
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, Central China
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Masks offer no protection to the wearer
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Neither mask type completely prevents transmission, which may be due to inappropriate handling and alternative transmission pathways. Therefore, compliance with a bundle of infection control measures including thorough hand hygiene is key.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Cloth Masks Protect You From Getting the Coronavirus
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: In this study, we demonstrated, using avian coronavirus of infectious bronchitis virus to mimic SARSCoV2, that medical masks and N95 masks remained their blocking efficacy after being steamed on boiling water even for 2 hours.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Testing negative for coronavirus antibodies doesn't mean you are not immune to COVID-19
Question: Do antibodies make you immune to COVID-19?
Evidence: One COVID-19 patient who did not produce any SARS-CoV-2-bound IgG successfully cleared SARS-CoV-2 after 46 days of illness, revealing that without antibody-mediated adaptive immunity, innate immunity alone may still be powerful enough to eliminate SARS-CoV-2.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: It's important to remember, however, that people who recover from COVID-19 can still have some lingering symptoms, like difficulty breathing, fatigue, or a persistent cough or headache, William
Question: Can people recover from COVID-19?
Evidence: Most patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who show mild symptoms are sent home by physicians to recover.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Viruses, like the novel coronavirus, may also aggravate preexisting diabetic systems leading to added challenges managing blood sugar levels and worse outcomes.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with diabetes
Evidence: Type 2 diabetic patients were more susceptible to COVID-19 than overall population, which might be associated with hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The COVID-19 virus can spread in hot and humid climates
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: In our cohort, ODs were an early symptom of COVID-19
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: A vaccine to cure the disease is available
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: The majority of documents encouraged the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Thirty-one percent of the guidelines highlighted the importance of minerals and vitamins such as zinc and vitamins C, A, and D to maintain a well-functioning immune system.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Wearing a medical mask causes you to breathe in more carbon dioxide
Question: Can wearing masks help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Evidence that face masks provide effective protection against respiratory infections in the community is scarce. However, face masks are widely used by health workers as part of droplet precautions when caring for patients with respiratory infections. It would therefore be reasonable to suggest that consistent widespread use of face masks in the community could prevent further spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Do COVID-19 Face Masks Work If Kids Can't Stop Touching them? Yes, masks are still effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, even if children keep touching them. 
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: It would therefore be reasonable to suggest that consistent widespread use of face masks in the community could prevent further spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Vitamin D levels may impact COVID-19 mortality rates
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: ecological investigation on 51 countries including 408,748 participants, analyses indicated no correlation between vitamin D levels and recovery rate (r= 0.041) as well as mortality rate (r=-0.073) globally.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin D's effect on Covid-19 maybe be exaggerated
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: In Europe, there were no correlations for both recovery (r= 0.040) and mortality rate (r= -0.035).
Verdict: Supports
Claim: It is reasonable to believe that remdesivir may be effective in treating Covid-19
Question: is remdesivir an effective treatment for COVID-19?
Evidence: Currently, there is not any specific effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Various studies over time have shown that vitamin C contains antioxidants that can help improve the body's ability to fight diseases, including COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: We identified a total of 17 patients who received IV vitamin C for COVID-19. The inpatient mortality rate in this series was 12% with 17.6% rates of intubation and mechanical ventilation. We noted a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including ferritin and D-dimer, and a trend to decreasing FiO2 requirements, after vitamin C administration. 
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. 
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence:  Susceptible persons who contacted these contaminated surfaces may transfer the pathogens to their mucous membranes via hands, leading to a risk of respiratory infection.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: vitamin C may be beneficial in certain groups of  covid-19 patients, particularly those already deficient in vitamin C who develop COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Dietary supplementation has not been linked to COVID-19 prevention. However, supplementation with vitamins C and D, as well as with zinc and selenium, was highlighted as potentially beneficial for individuals with, or at risk of, respiratory viral infections or for those in whom nutrient deficiency is detected.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The coronavirus may thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose. People with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes might be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with diabetes
Evidence: obesity represents the strongest predictor for Covid-19 followed by diabetes and hypertension in both sexes
Verdict: Supports
Claim: High doses of vitamin C have been proven to be an effective treatment for COVID-19
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: In late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, several patients with viral pneumonia were identified as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). So far, there are no specific treatments for patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), and the treatments available today are based on previous experience with similar viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and Influenza virus.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: alcohol does not protect against infection or illness relating to COVID-19.
Question: Can drinking alcohol help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Among the basic protective measures against COVID-19, the need to wash hands frequently and in a prolonged way using soap, and to regularly use alcohol-based hand sanitizers is well established for the whole population.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: You see, we actually don't have any idea whether a Vitamin D supplement will improve COVID-19 outcomes. We don't even really know if low levels of the vitamin make outcomes worse.
Question: Can I take any vitamins or supplements to prevent COVID-19?
Evidence: Here, we review theoretical mechanisms and evidence related to efficacy and safety of select supplements in the setting of COVID-19, including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, elderberry, and silver. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: A more specialized mask, known as an N95 respirator, can protect against the new coronavirus, also called SARS-CoV-2.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Together, this study suggested that medical masks are adequate for use on most social occasions, and both medical masks and N95 masks can be reused for a few days with steam decontamination between use.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Nor was it known that some people have COVID-19 but don't have any symptoms.
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: We recommend immediate mask wearing recommendations, official guidelines for correct use, and awareness campaigns to shift masking mindsets away from pure self-protection, towards aspirational goals of responsibly protecting one's community.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Social distancing is important to slow the spread of coronavirus because coronavirus is thought to spread mainly when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, and transmits small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: Our models predict these strict social distancing measures caused a 79% and 61% reduction in the daily cases of COVID-19 across Australia and New Zealand respectively. This provides both evidence and impetus for governments considering similar measures in response to COVID-19 and other pandemics.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Social distancing, also called physical distancing, means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: social distancing is associated with a statistically-significant reduction in the doubling rate for all but three states.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Although Vitamin C helps us maintain good immune function, there's little evidence that it can prevent or substantially reduce either of cold and flu, and covid-19 diseases.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: CONCLUSION The use of IV vitamin C in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease may be feasible.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: At this point, we don't know enough about coronavirus to understand how it's going to behave over time when the weather warms up.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: the temperature changes retarded the growth rate and found that -6.28{degrees}C and +14.51{degrees}C temperature is the favorable range for COVID-19 growth
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: There is not enough evidence to know the effects of cannabis on the immune system or on the susceptibility to viral infections.
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: The recently discovered novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus), has brought the whole world to standstill with critical challenges, affecting both health and economic sectors worldwide.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Winter Weather Could Increase Spread of COVID-19
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Results indicated that temperatures had a negative linear relationship with the number of confirmed cases.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: In a disturbing parallel to H.I.V., the coronavirus can cause a depletion of important immune cells
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: Distinguishing pre-existing and de novo antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 will be critical for serology, seroprevalence and vaccine studies, as well as for our understanding of susceptibility to and natural course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Can we transmit the virus to pets? No, we can't
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19?
Evidence: There is currently no indication that feline- or canine-to-human transmission can occur, though there is rising evidence of the reverse.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: If you're having breathing problems, get emergency medical care. Since COVID-19 is a viral infection, antibiotics can't treat it, and currently there's no cure. 
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: In conclusion, Allium sativum may be an acceptable preventive measure against COVID-19 infection to boost immune system cells and to repress the production and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines as well as an adipose tissue derived hormone leptin having the proinflammatory nature.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus may have been leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: Although to date it is considered that Covid19 originates from bats (96.2% overall genome sequence identity) (1), the type of intermediate animals that caused the transmission to humans remains unknown (2-4).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin C is significant to human body and plays a role in reducing inflammatory response and preventing common cold
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Dietary supplementation has not been linked to COVID-19 prevention.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to expand globally, many are asking what may happen to the outbreak as winter turns to spring
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Preliminary observations from our team and others suggest that temperature and climatological factors could influence the spread of this novel coronavirus
Verdict: Neutral
Claim:  UV lights can be used against other coronaviruses.
Question: Does UV light help in preventing covid-19?
Evidence:  Based on the mechanisms described earlier, our hypothesis is that light could reduce the lethality of COVID-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Even younger people may experience a similar pattern of severe disease as older people
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: In this study, we collected blood from COVID-19 patients who have recently become virus-free and therefore were discharged, and analyzed their SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T cell responses. We observed SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity in the patients. Both were detected in newly discharged patients, suggesting both participate in immune-mediated protection to viral infection.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Although to date it is considered that Covid19 originates from bats (96.2% overall genome sequence identity) (1), the type of intermediate animals that caused the transmission to humans remains unknown (2-4)
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: However, the source(s) and transmission routine(s) of SARSCoV2 remain elusive' (1).
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus pandemic can be dramatically slowed, or stopped completely, with the immediate widespread use of favipiravir
Question: Can favipiravir help treat COVID-19?
Evidence: In this open-label nonrandomized control study, FPV showed significantly better treatment effects on COVID-19 in terms of disease progression and viral clearance; if causal, these results should be important information for establishing standard treatment guidelines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 symptoms can sometimes persist for months
Question: are heart complications likely in patients with COVID-19?
Evidence: Cardiovascular complications were mainly observed in the confirmed COVID-19+group, consisting of heart failure (9%), palpitations/arrhythmias (3%), stroke/TIA (3%) and pulmonary hypertension (3%). Cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain (1%), myocardial injury (1%) and pericardial effusion (1%) were also recorded.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: New findings have confirmed the efficacy of dietary vitamin supplements - including vitamin C and vitamin D - in helping the immune system fight off COVID-19. 
Question: Can I take any vitamins or supplements to prevent COVID-19?
Evidence: If vitamin D does in fact reduce the severity of COVID-19 in regard to pneumonia/ARDS, inflammation, inflammatory cytokines and thrombosis, it is our opinion that supplements would offer a relatively easy option to decrease the impact of the pandemic.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Symptoms of coronavirus vary from person to person and can be more severe in some people. Generally, common symptoms have been described as being flu-like, with fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Question: Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: After the emergence of a novel coronavirus named SARSCoV2, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) was initially characterized by fever, sore throat, cough, and dyspnea, mainly manifestations of respiratory system. 
Verdict: Supports
Claim: people who have recovered from COVID-19 can test positive for the virus for up to three months, though these positive results don't mean that a person is still sick.
Question: Are you immune to COVID-19 after recovering from it?
Evidence: Our study provides the first evidence of inflammatory immune signature in early recovery stage, suggesting that the COVID-19 patients are still vulnerable after hospital discharge.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Widely used drugs to control high blood pressure do not help protect against severe Covid-19
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with hypertension?
Evidence: Pre-existing comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are associated with a greater severity and higher fatality rate of covid-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Can COVID-19 be passed through food? So far, there is no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus
Question: Can COVID-19 spread through food?
Evidence: For the time being, the possibility of transmission through the food sector is considered negligible
Verdict: Supports
Claim: trying to get too much of vitamin d from the sun puts people at risk for skin cancer.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with increasing age(RR(age<50)=1.05,p<0.021;RR(age[]50)=1.02,p<0.064)), non-white race(RR=2.54,p<0.01) and being likely vitamin D deficient (deficient/treatment-not-increased:RR=1.77,p<0.02) as compared to likely vitamin D sufficient(not-deficient/treatment-not-decreased), with predicted COVID-19 rates in the vitamin D deficient group of 21.6%(95%CI[14.0%-29.2%] ) versus 12.2%(95%CI[8.9%-15.4%]) in the vitamin D sufficient group.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Insufficient evidence for vitamin D preventing or treating covid-19
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: A principal defence against uncontrolled inflammation, and against viral infection in general, is provided by T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs). Treg levels have been reported to be low in many COVID-19 patients and can be increased by vitamin D supplementation. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines and a significantly increased risk of pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increase in thrombotic episodes, which are frequently observed in COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency has been found to occur more frequently in patients with obesity and diabetes. These conditions are reported to carry a higher mortality in COVID-19. If vitamin D does in fact reduce the severity of COVID-19 in regard to pneumonia/ARDS, inflammation, inflammatory cytokines and thrombosis, it is our opinion that supplements would offer a relatively easy option to decrease the impact of the pandemic.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin D appears to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: ecological investigation on 51 countries including 408,748 participants, analyses indicated no correlation between vitamin D levels and recovery rate (r= 0.041) as well as mortality rate (r=-0.073) globally.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: social distancing means keeping people far enough apart that they can't spread coronavirus
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: The decentralized strategy is insufficient when used alone, but offers the best results when combined with the centralized one. Indeed, the (C+D) is the most efficient isolation strategy at mitigating the network superspreaders and reducing the highest node degrees to less than 10% of their initial values.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: There is a link between vitamin D status and COVID-19 risk
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: A principal defence against uncontrolled inflammation, and against viral infection in general, is provided by T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs). Treg levels have been reported to be low in many COVID-19 patients and can be increased by vitamin D supplementation. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines and a significantly increased risk of pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increase in thrombotic episodes, which are frequently observed in COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency has been found to occur more frequently in patients with obesity and diabetes. These conditions are reported to carry a higher mortality in COVID-19. If vitamin D does in fact reduce the severity of COVID-19 in regard to pneumonia/ARDS, inflammation, inflammatory cytokines and thrombosis, it is our opinion that supplements would offer a relatively easy option to decrease the impact of the pandemic.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: masks can not slow the spread of coronavirus
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: We present two models for the COVID-19 pandemic predicting the impact of universal face mask wearing upon the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus--one employing a stochastic dynamic network based compartmental SEIR (susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered) approach, and the other employing individual ABM (agent-based modelling) Monte Carlo simulation--indicating (1) significant impact under (near) universal masking when at least 80% of a population is wearing masks, versus minimal impact when only 50% or less of the population is wearing masks, and (2) significant impact when universal masking is adopted early, by Day 50 of a regional outbreak, versus minimal impact when universal masking is adopted late. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: UV light kills coronavirus
Question: Does UV light help in preventing covid-19?
Evidence: UV-C irradiation is highly effective in inactivating and inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Social Distancing Key to Lowering COVID-19 Disease Risk
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: the centralized social distancing is necessary to minimize the pandemic spreading.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: practicing social distancing is an effective public health tool to reduce the spread of the disease.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: Our models predict these strict social distancing measures caused a 79% and 61% reduction in the daily cases of COVID-19 across Australia and New Zealand respectively. This provides both evidence and impetus for governments considering similar measures in response to COVID-19 and other pandemics.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Having a weakened immune system may increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Question: Does having a weakened immune system increase your risk of illness from COVID-19?
Evidence: these therapies may weaken the immune system and potentially place IBD patients at increased risk of infections and infectious complications including those from COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: the use of fever-lowering such as  paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) over-the-counter medicines to cope with COVID-19 symptoms is recommended.
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: For NSAIDs, there is no clear scientific evidence linking ibuprofen and other NSAIDs to worsening of COVID-19;
Verdict: Supports
Claim: People wearing face coverings will take in fewer coronavirus particles, evidence suggests, making disease less severe.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: We find that the critical mask adherence is 5 per 100 when 80% wear face masks.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: coronavirus can survive on plastic, metal surfaces, but it does not matter as transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence: We report here that pathogenic human coronavirus 229E remained infectious in a human lung cell culture model following at least 5 days of persistence on a range of common nonbiocidal surface materials, including polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon; PTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ceramic tiles, glass, silicone rubber, and stainless steel.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: there is neither harm nor benefit to treating a fever with fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: When compared with exclusive paracetamol users, no differences were observed in mortality rates or the need for respiratory support among patients using ibuprofen.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: there is no reason to believe cold weather can kill the new coronavirus  or other diseases, for that matter.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Preliminary observations from our team and others suggest that temperature and climatological factors could influence the spread of this novel coronavirus
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Heart failure is the main cause of death from COVID-19
Question: how do people die from the coronavirus?
Evidence: The cause of most deaths has been acute pneumonia.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin D Lower Your Risk of COVID-19
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with increasing age(RR(age<50)=1.05,p<0.021;RR(age[]50)=1.02,p<0.064)), non-white race(RR=2.54,p<0.01) and being likely vitamin D deficient (deficient/treatment-not-increased:RR=1.77,p<0.02) as compared to likely vitamin D sufficient(not-deficient/treatment-not-decreased), with predicted COVID-19 rates in the vitamin D deficient group of 21.6%(95%CI[14.0%-29.2%] ) versus 12.2%(95%CI[8.9%-15.4%]) in the vitamin D sufficient group.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: quercetin and vitamin C is a potential COVID-19 therapy
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Although COVID-19 can be rapidly diagnosed, efficient clinical treatment of COVID-19 remains unavailable, resulting in high fatality.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Social distancing is important for all of us, but those of us who are at higher risk of serious complications caused by COVID-19 should be especially cautious about social distancing. People who are at high risk of complications include: Older adults. People who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: The government of different countries has adopted various policies to contain this epidemic and the most common were social distancing and lockdown. Our analysis revealed that the measures can slow down the outbreak. We can reduce the epidemic size and prolong the time to arrive at the epidemic peak by seriously following the measures suggested by the authorities.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: dexamethasone, a steroid commonly used to treat inflammation, can drastically reduce death in patients who are severely sick with COVID-19.
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid approved by the FDA 1958 as a broad-spectrum immunosuppressor and it is about 30 times as active and with longer duration of action (2-3 days) than cortisone. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: From a mechanistic angle, there are good reasons to postulate that vitamin D favourably modulates host responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), both in the early viraemic and later hyperinflammatory phases of COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with increasing age(RR(age<50)=1.05,p<0.021;RR(age[]50)=1.02,p<0.064)), non-white race(RR=2.54,p<0.01) and being likely vitamin D deficient (deficient/treatment-not-increased:RR=1.77,p<0.02) as compared to likely vitamin D sufficient(not-deficient/treatment-not-decreased), with predicted COVID-19 rates in the vitamin D deficient group of 21.6%(95%CI[14.0%-29.2%] ) versus 12.2%(95%CI[8.9%-15.4%]) in the vitamin D sufficient group.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people from pet fur
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19 to people?
Evidence: Covid19 origin and transmission to humans.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: having an autoimmune disorder such as lupus increase the risk for infection by COVID 19
Question: Does having a weakened immune system increase your risk of illness from COVID-19?
Evidence: Studies demonstrate that COVID-19 is an immune condition which is marked by reduced lymphocytes and elevated selected proinflammatory cytokines. Similar immune expression has been demonstrated in pregnancy by several studies.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Eating garlic can protect people against the coronavirus:
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: Hoaxes (such as eating garlic or citrus to prevent COVID-19) were detected in 15 videos (10.9%).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: If you're uncomfortable, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication that is used widely for the treatment of pain and fever during COVID-19 pandemic.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: hand sanitizers won't protect you against covid-19
Question: what hand sanitizers kill COVID-19?
Evidence: The ongoing COVID19 pandemic has made various challenges for communications all over the world. Nowadays hand hygiene practices with alcohol sanitizers are an unavoidable reality for many people, which cause skin dryness and flaking.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: it appears Vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of getting the infection and doing really badly if you get it
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with increasing age(RR(age<50)=1.05,p<0.021;RR(age[]50)=1.02,p<0.064)), non-white race(RR=2.54,p<0.01) and being likely vitamin D deficient (deficient/treatment-not-increased:RR=1.77,p<0.02) as compared to likely vitamin D sufficient(not-deficient/treatment-not-decreased), with predicted COVID-19 rates in the vitamin D deficient group of 21.6%(95%CI[14.0%-29.2%] ) versus 12.2%(95%CI[8.9%-15.4%]) in the vitamin D sufficient group.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: To be effective at killing some types of germs, hand sanitizers need to have a strength of at least 60% alcohol and be used when hands are not visibly dirty or greasy.
Question: what hand sanitizers kill COVID-19?
Evidence: By extrapolating effectiveness of hand sanitizers on viruses of similar structure to SARS-CoV-2, this virus should be effectively inactivated with current hand hygiene products
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: To reduce the risk of of covid-19 infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D 3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: A significant negative correlation (p=0.033) has been observed between mean vitamin D levels and COVID-19 cases per one million population in European countries.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The coronavirus made by human in a laboratory
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: The results obtained from various AI-enabled experiments using clustering algorithms demonstrate that all examined COVID-19 virus genomes belong to a cluster that also contains bat and pangolin coronavirus genomes.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Nicotine could contribute to preventing people from contracting COVID-19.
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Our findings support a causal effect of elevated BMI and smoking on risk of sepsis and severe covid-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: While we are focused on cough and fever as the initial signs of COVID-19, it's also important to be aware that abdominal pain and diarrhea could precede respiratory symptoms.
Question: Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: The aim of this manuscript is to investigate transversally Ear Nose Throat (ENT) symptoms COVID-19 infection correlated and to study the neurotropism and neuroinvasiveness of the virus in the head-neck district through the investigation of the sense of smell, taste, tearing, salivation and hearing.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Domestic Cats Can Pass COVID-19 to One Another and Not Appear Sick
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19 to people?
Evidence: Cellular angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 which is identical or similar in different species of animals such as pigs, ferrets, cats, orangutans, monkeys, and humans. Moreover, a recent study predicted that dog might be secondary host during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from bat to human. Therefore, there is a possibility of spreading SARS-CoV-2 through domestic pets.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: surgical masks and N95 respirators should be saved for health care workers as they are more effective in preventing covid-19
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Neither mask type completely prevents transmission, which may be due to inappropriate handling and alternative transmission pathways. Therefore, compliance with a bundle of infection control measures including thorough hand hygiene is key.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: the covid-19 is a us biological weapon to reduce the planet's population
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: the use of hydroxychloroquine alone was associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: number of deaths by covid-19 can be reducded if the population wear face masks in public
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Neither mask type completely prevents transmission, which may be due to inappropriate handling and alternative transmission pathways. Therefore, compliance with a bundle of infection control measures including thorough hand hygiene is key.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: A new drug trial is underway at Stanford to determine if the anti-viral drug favipiravir can treat the four in five cases with mild or moderate symptoms.
Question: Can favipiravir help treat COVID-19?
Evidence: Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum oral antiviral agent that shows in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication that people use to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of COVID-19 patients, ibuprofen use was not associated with worse clinical outcomes, compared with paracetamol or no antipyretic.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: It's important to remember, however, that people who recover from COVID-19 can still have some lingering symptoms, like difficulty breathing, fatigue, or a persistent cough or headache, William
Question: Can people recover from COVID-19?
Evidence: Epidemiological, clinical and immunological studies from COVID-19 recovered patients are particularly important to understand the disease and to prepare better for potential outbreaks in the future.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: spread is uncommon so social distancing still make sense
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: Discussion: The combined social distancing measures implemented by the Greek authorities within the first few weeks after the first confirmed case of the virus reduced the COVID-19 growth rate.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: If you're deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: In Middle East, the recovery rate (r= 0.267) and mortality rate (r= -0.217) showed a medium correlation.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: the centralized social distancing is necessary to minimize the pandemic spreading.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Coronaviruses are common viruses that can infect humans
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: Zhou et al (1) mentioned that 'Direct contact with intermediate host animals or consumption of wild animals was suspected to be the main route of SARSCoV2 transmission.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) didn't exactly say whether or how long you may remain immune to the Covid-19 coronavirus after recovering from an infection.
Question: Are you immune to COVID-19 after recovering from it?
Evidence: Our study provides the first evidence of inflammatory immune signature in early recovery stage, suggesting that the COVID-19 patients are still vulnerable after hospital discharge.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that the more people wearing masks, the better
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Ma's research shows N95 masks, medical masks, even homemade masks could block at least 90% of the virus in aerosols
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Social distancing is key to stopping coronavirus
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: social distancing and have seen slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Crowded areas will increase covid-19 transmission risk.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: COVID-19, due to its regular flu-like symptoms, is also expected to show similar seasonality and subside as the global temperatures rise in the northern hemisphere with the onset of spring
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Some HIV patients with 'powerful immune systems' may naturally clear HIV infections
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: The CD4 + memory exploiting could help immune system to recall immunity of already know antigens against coronaviruses, avoiding or limiting "lung crash" until virus specific immunity develops and making it faster and prolonged. Finally, this administration could be helpful not only in already infected patients, but also before infection. In fact, people could have an immune system more ready when the contact with the Covid-19 will occur.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Nicotine Could Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: This suggests that nicotine may have some preventive or modulatory effect on the inflammatory response in the lungs.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: But as with most colds and flus, coronavirus is a viral infection - which means treating it with antibiotics is useless. Antibiotics only work in treating bacteria.
Question: Do antibiotics work against the coronavirus?
Evidence: Despite frequent prescription of broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobials in patients with coronavirus associated respiratory infections, there is a paucity of data to support the association with respiratory bacterial/fungal co-infection.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: social distancing measures like cancelling public gatherings are key to fighting the spread of the coronavirus.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: social distancing and have seen slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: A marijuana-smoking habit could also make a person's symptoms with coivd-19 more severe.
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Male, aged over 65, smoking patients might face a greater risk of developing into the critical or mortal condition and the comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases could also greatly affect the prognosis of the COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Taking vitamin D supplement can reduce the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: A significant negative correlation (p=0.033) has been observed between mean vitamin D levels and COVID-19 cases per one million population in European countries.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: My advice would be to take those vitamin K supplements to cure covid-19
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: The majority of documents encouraged the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Thirty-one percent of the guidelines highlighted the importance of minerals and vitamins such as zinc and vitamins C, A, and D to maintain a well-functioning immune system.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Vitamin D is inexpensive, generally very safe to take, and can be widely scaled.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with increasing age(RR(age<50)=1.05,p<0.021;RR(age[]50)=1.02,p<0.064)), non-white race(RR=2.54,p<0.01) and being likely vitamin D deficient (deficient/treatment-not-increased:RR=1.77,p<0.02) as compared to likely vitamin D sufficient(not-deficient/treatment-not-decreased), with predicted COVID-19 rates in the vitamin D deficient group of 21.6%(95%CI[14.0%-29.2%] ) versus 12.2%(95%CI[8.9%-15.4%]) in the vitamin D sufficient group.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be "an aggravating factor" in COVID-19 infections
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: There are clearly COVID-19 cases where NSAIDs should not be used, but there is no strong evidence that NSAIDs must be avoided in all patients with COVID-19;
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: vitamin D can play in helping a patient fight off COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Although COVID-19 can be rapidly diagnosed, efficient clinical treatment of COVID-19 remains unavailable, resulting in high fatality.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: It's a low risk to get covid-19 by groceries and packages that we have delivered, but it's possible that if someone is delivering a package to your house and they are sick, that may be a route for transmission.
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence: Human Coronavirus 229E Remains Infectious on Common Touch Surface Materials
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Doctors: Take Effects of COVID-19 to Heart
Question: are heart complications likely in patients with COVID-19?
Evidence: The cardiovascular system is also affected, with complications including myocardial injury, myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, dysrhythmias, and venous thromboembolic events. Current therapies for COVID-19 may interact with cardiovascular medications.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: 5G uses higher frequencies than 4G, which are dangerous and caused covid-19
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: The unprecedented outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, termed as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), has placed numerous governments around the world in a precarious position. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, earlier witnessed by the citizens of China alone, has now become a matter of grave concern for virtually every country in the world.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: study explores possible link between COVID-19 and vitamin d
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Vitamin D deficiency that is not sufficiently treated is associated with COVID-19 risk.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Masks can be a source of infection for the person wearing them
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: A trend in favour of N95 respirators was observed in preventing laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infections, laboratory-confirmed respiratory infection, and influenza like illness.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Smoking weed and coronavirus: Even occasional use raises risk of Covid-19 complications
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Male, older than 65, and smoking were risk factors for disease progression in patients with COVID-19 (male: OR=1.76, 95% CI (1.41, 2.18), P < 0.00001;
Verdict: Supports
Claim: taking vitamin D would reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: a small reverse correlation between mortality rate and vitamin D status was observed throughout the globe (r= -0.177). In Asia, a medium direct correlation was observed for recovery rate (r= 0.317) and a significant reveres correlation for mortality rate (r= -0.700) with vitamin D status in such patients.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: The likelihood of shoes spreading COVID-19 is very low
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Acute abdomen as an early symptom of COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Studies have found that the sickest patients often have the lowest levels of vitamin D.
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: In Middle East, the recovery rate (r= 0.267) and mortality rate (r= -0.217) showed a medium correlation.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Surgical masks don't offer any protection for the wearer against the new coronavirus
Question: Does a surgical mask help avoid COVID-19?
Evidence: Community mask use was possibly associated with decreased risk for SARS-CoV-1 infection in observational studies. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: While researchers are studying many COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, none has been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: In conclusion, Allium sativum may be an acceptable preventive measure against COVID-19 infection to boost immune system cells and to repress the production and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines as well as an adipose tissue derived hormone leptin having the proinflammatory nature.
Verdict: Neutral