jpd459/healthver_resplit_larger huggingface dataset:
Claim: Pixatimod is active in lab studies against SARS-CoV-2
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: At this point, the data here presented on hydroxychloroquine either alone or combined with azithromycin (together with previously reported in vivo data in macaques and ferrets) provide no scientific basis for further use of the drug in humans.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: When someone who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or talks, they send tiny droplets with the coronavirus into the air. That's where a mask can help.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Our results indicate that surgical face masks could prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza viruses from symptomatic individuals.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: young people breaking social distancing rules for the increase in coronavirus cases.
Question: what are the mortality rates overall and in specific populations
Evidence: As COVID-19 mortality occurs mainly in elderly and as Africa has a comparably young population, the death rates should be lower than on other continents. We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMR) using age-specific case fatality rates for COVID-19 and the age structure of the population of Africa and of other continents. Compared to a European or Northern American population, the standardised mortality ratio was only 0.22 and 0.25, respectively, corresponding to reduction of deaths rates to a quarter. Compared to the Asian and Latin American & Caribbean population, the SMR was 0.43 and 0.44, respectively, corresponding to half the death rate for Africa.
Verdict: Neutral
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: the American College of Physicians (ACP) provides recommendations based on the best available evidence through 14 April 2020 on the effectiveness of N95 respirators, surgical masks, and cloth masks in reducing transmission of infection.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: People with chronic conditions like diabetes and lung and heart disease are at greater risk of being hospitalized due to the coronavirus - but more than one in five patients who end up in intensive care had no such health problems.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with diabetes
Evidence: diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol levels possess an apparent relation to COVID-19 severity.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: coronavirus patients with high blood pressure had twice the risk of dying as patients who didn't have hypertension
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with hypertension?
Evidence: COVID-19 patients with hypertension had more severe secondary infections, cardiac and renal dysfunction, and depletion of CD8+ cells on admission. Patients with hypertension were more likely to have comorbidities and complications and were more likely to be classified as critically ill than those without hypertension.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: 5G created the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or that 5G is to blame for the symptoms COVID-19 patients are experiencing.
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: these patterns are not specific to 5G conspiratorial beliefs
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.
Question: what are the mortality rates overall and in specific populations
Evidence: As COVID-19 mortality occurs mainly in elderly and as Africa has a comparably young population, the death rates should be lower than on other continents. We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMR) using age-specific case fatality rates for COVID-19 and the age structure of the population of Africa and of other continents. Compared to a European or Northern American population, the standardised mortality ratio was only 0.22 and 0.25, respectively, corresponding to reduction of deaths rates to a quarter. Compared to the Asian and Latin American & Caribbean population, the SMR was 0.43 and 0.44, respectively, corresponding to half the death rate for Africa.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Blood Pressure Meds Can Affect COVID-19 Care
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: This has led to the hypothesis that use of ACEIs and ARBs may increase the risk of developing severe COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Different variants of the theory exist. Some assume that not the coronavirus but 5G radiation is the real cause of COVID-19
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: these patterns are not specific to 5G conspiratorial beliefs
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Anything that covers my nose and mouth, regardless of how it's made, will keep me from spreading the virus to others.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Wearing medical masks or N95 masks (namely N95 respirators) can slow the virus spread and reduce the infection risk.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 and low levels of vitamin D appear to disproportionately affect black and minority ethnic individuals.
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: Neutral
Claim: acetaminophen can stop the new coronavirus
Question: Can acetaminophen (Tylenol) treat the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that emerged in 2019 and is causing the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no current standard of care.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections
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: Homemade hand sanitizers are just as effective as what you buy as long as you use the right percentage of alcohol,
Question: Where can I buy hand sanitizer and if I can’t find it in the store, can I make my own?
Evidence: To date, most of the effective hand sanitizer products are alcohol-based formulations containing 62%-95% of alcohol as it can denature the proteins of microbes and the ability to inactivate viruses.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Can wearing a face mask protect against the 2019 coronavirus?
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: Neutral
Claim: Common Steroid Could Be Cheap and Effective Treatment for Severe 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: Neutral
Claim: There's a seasonality to many viruses. Flu and cold viruses tend to peak in winter months, then die down with warmer weather.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Correcting for that distributed delay and offering conservative estimates, we find a negative relationship between temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and estimated reproduction number ([R]), with each degree Celsius associated with a 3.1% (95% CI, 1.5% to 4.8%) reduction in [R]. Higher levels of relative humidity strengthen the negative effect of temperature above 25 degrees.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: patients who are administered Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors have higher levels of ACE2 receptors in their blood after taking the medication.
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: The present study has found that the use of ACE inh/ARBs therapy might be associated with an increased in-hospital mortality in patients who were diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: no-one can ever recover from COVID-19
Question: Can people recover from COVID-19?
Evidence: These preliminary clinical findings indicate that the relatively rapid recovery of olfactory and gustative function can mean a resolution of viral infection in most patients.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: COVID symptoms include a high fever, a new cough, and loss of smell and taste
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Gustatory Dysfunction as an Early Symptom in COVID-19 Screening
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Vitamin D can help combat the coronavirus
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: Does vinegar really help to kill viruses? The short answer is YES
Question: Can vinegar help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: As discussed in this review, till effective vaccines and treatments emerge, it is important to understand the scientific rationale of pandemic-mitigation strategies such as wearing facemasks and social distancing, and implement them.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Skeptics say: Why wear masks if they don't filter out all coronavirus? Scientists say: Because it could mean less severe illness.
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: Supports
Claim: Scientists were able to prove that the virus evolved naturally in animals before jumping to humans.
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: The COVID19, which appeared to originate in China in December 2019, has spread worldwide pandemically.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: A cup of tea in the making. [Photo provided to China Daily] An article claiming that drinking tea may help prevent novel coronavirus infections has raised questions among the public and academics
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: The present study corroborates that compound "I" (EGCG) mostly present in the integrants of green tea, shows the highest potentiality for acting as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2
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: To analyze the effectiveness of social distancing in the United States (U.S.).
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus pandemic can be dramatically slowed, or stopped, with the immediate widespread use of high doses of vitamin C.
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: Refutes
Claim: some people may experience heart damage that mimics heart attack injury even if their arteries lack the fatty, calcified flow-limiting blockages known to cause classic heart attacks.
Question: are heart complications likely in patients with COVID-19?
Evidence: the greater susceptibility of individuals with underlying cardiovascular conditions to develop more severe Covid-19 with higher mortality rate is likely to be confounded, in part, by age and the type of co-morbidities. Patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease might show an excess risk
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus was not engineered in a lab
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: Covid19 infection began in Wuhan (Hubei, China) in December, 2019.
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: Wearing medical masks or N95 masks (namely N95 respirators) can slow the virus spread and reduce the infection risk.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience complications and die from COVID-19
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: Refutes
Claim: Face masks might help protect against the flu in addition to novel coronavirus.
Question: Can wearing masks help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Face masks are an avenue to curb the spread of coronavirus, but few people in Western societies wear face masks.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Early immune responses may be why younger people get less sick from COVID-19
Question: what are the mortality rates overall and in specific populations
Evidence: We estimate an overall infection fatality rate of 1.29% (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.89 - 2.01), as well as large differences by age, with a low infection fatality rate of 0.05% for under 60 year old (CrI 0-.19) and a substantially higher 4.25% (CrI 3.01-6.39) for people above 60 years of age.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Currently, the CDC does NOT recommend using essential oils such as lavender oil or GRAS ingredients such as vinegar in homemade cleaning products to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Question: Can vinegar help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Numerous clinical trials have been launched to identify effective treatments for COVID-19. Initial data from a placebo-controlled study suggest faster time to recovery in patients on remdesivir; it is now being evaluated in additional controlled studies.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that drinking tea is effective in preventing or curing COVID-19 infections
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: The findings of the present study need in vivo experiments to prove the utility of "I", "F","D" and "E" compounds and their further use in making herb-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 product in near future
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Antibiotics do not prevent or treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19), because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Some patients with COVID-19 may also develop a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia.
Question: Do antibiotics work against the coronavirus?
Evidence: This activity is conserved on the SARS-Cov-2, thus placing teicoplanin as a potential treatment for patients with this virus.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: patients with sufficient vitamin D levels had lower risk of death or severe COVID-19 complications.
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: Good ventilation can reduce the risk of catching coronavirus.
Question: Does heat prevent COVID-19?
Evidence: Our results indicate that heat inactivation of serum at 56C for 30 minutes interferes with the immunoanalysis of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Heat inactivation prior to immunoanalysis is not recommended, and the possibility of false-negative results should be considered if the sample was pre-inactivated by heating.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Are Advil and Motrin bad for a coronavirus fever or headache? The short answer is YES.
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; however, it seems prudent to continue them, if necessary to control pericarditis, and on the other hand, to prefer paracetamol for fever and systemic symptoms related to COVID-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Social distancing during coronavirus Social distancing means limiting close contact between yourself and others in your community, even if you are not sick or at risk.
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: hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing - are slowing the spread of the flu
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: counties where the policies have been imposed have effectively increased social distancing and have seen slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Asking everyone to wear cloth masks can help reduce the spread of the virus by people who have COVID-19 but don't realize it
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: We found no direct high quality evidence on whether N95 respirators are better than surgical masks for HCWs protection from SARS-CoV-2.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Taking a sauna or hot bath can kill covid-19
Question: Does heat prevent COVID-19?
Evidence: Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely throughout the world since the end of 2019. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) has played an important role in patient diagnosis and management of COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Tylenol doesn't work the same way as NSAIDs, and it's thought to affect the part of the brain that regulates temperature.
Question: Are Tylenol, Advil and Motrin effective and safe to take for COVID-19 symptoms?
Evidence: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the best way to find effective and acceptable safe treatments for COVID-19 and any possible future outbreak
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: SARS-CoV-2's rapid spread is likely due to the movements of people with no or very mild symptoms - namely, those who are unaware that they even have the virus. That is why social distancing is such an important containment measure, they explain.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: We use a simple log-linear model with intercept and trend break to evaluate whether the measures are effective preventing/slowing down the spread of the disease in Turkey.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Some HIV patients with 'powerful immune systems' may naturally clear HIV infections
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: we discovered evidence that SARS-CoV-2, along with related coronaviruses, used mutations to evade attack from the human immune system. Overall, we present an immunological resource for SARS-CoV-2 that could promote both therapeutic development and mechanistic research.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: COVID-19 patients who took hydroxychloroquine were less likely to die
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: Despite its small sample size our survey shows that hydroxychloroquine treatment is significantly associated with viral load reduction/disappearance in COVID-19 patients and its effect is reinforced by azithromycin.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: camostat mesylate was active against other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV. 
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: We show that a high (5106 pfu) and medium (5104 pfu) dose of SARS-CoV-2 induces consistent upper respiratory tract (URT) viral RNA shedding in both groups of six challenged animals, whilst a low dose (5102 pfu) resulted in only one of six displaying signs of URT viral RNA replication.  
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms.
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. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Early Symptoms Of COVID-19 Initial reports stated that COVID-19 symptoms usually take two to 10 days to appear after contracting the virus.
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Acute abdomen as an early symptom of COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating COVID-19? No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections.
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: The patients who received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get Vitamin C.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Some nutrients are actively involved in the proper functioning and strengthening of the human immune system against viral infections including dietary protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and selenium. Few studies were done on the effect of dietary components on prevention of COVID-19, but supplementation with these nutrients may be effective in improving the health status of patients with viral infections.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: This means that antibiotics, which are designed to kill bacteria, simply don't work against viruses.
Question: Do antibiotics work against the coronavirus?
Evidence: Teicoplanin, an antibiotic used to treat staphylococci infection, previously showed efficacy to inhibit the first stage of MERS-coronarivus viral cycle in human cells. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Coronavirus origins: genome analysis suggests two viruses may have combined
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: Covid19 infection began in Wuhan (Hubei, China) in December, 2019.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Respiratory failure remained the leading cause of death (69.5%), followed by sepsis/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MOF) (28.0%), cardiac failure (14.6%), hemorrhage (6.1%)
Question: how do people die from the coronavirus?
Evidence: Compared to the recovered group, more patients in the death group exhibited characteristics of advanced age, pre-existing comorbidities, dyspnea, oxygen saturation decrease, increased WBC count, decreased lymphocytes, and elevated CRP levels.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Little is known about the kinetics, tissue distribution, cross-reactivity and neutralization antibody response in COVID-19 patients.
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: At this point, the data here presented on hydroxychloroquine either alone or combined with azithromycin (together with previously reported in vivo data in macaques and ferrets) provide no scientific basis for further use of the drug in humans.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Patients with a history of a bone marrow transplant are at higher risk, too, because their immune system would be suppressed long-term.
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: Based on animal experiments, already acquired data on other coronavirus types and plausibility assumptions, it can be assumed that seroconverted patients have an immunity of limited duration and only a very low risk of reinfection.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever and other symptoms. If you already take NSAIDs regularly, you do not need to stop.
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: Supports
Claim: Some cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can weaken your immune system (cause you to be immunocompromised) and may increase your risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Question: how do people die from the coronavirus?
Evidence: Following the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), studies suggest that the resultant disease (COVID-19) is more severe in individuals with a weakened immune system
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Supplements containing vitamins C and D, along with other micronutrients, can be a safe, effective and low-cost means to fight off the novel coronavirus and other acute respiratory tract.
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: Neutral
Claim: Social distancing for COVID-19 means avoiding places or gatherings where you are likely to be exposed to respiratory droplets from others - directly or on surfaces
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: Neutral
Claim: facing the reality that there's no vaccine available yet to prevent the continuous spread of the novel coronavirus, coupled with the still increasing number of positive cases, and not knowing when exactly the virus will be defeated is a daunting prospect for many.
Question: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health?
Evidence: The socio-health emergency caused by COVID-19 may have a significant psychological impact on the population.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 is fake and that the pandemic is part of a wider conspiracy to deploy 5G network towers
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of the drivers of the 5G COVID-19 conspiracy theory and strategies to deal with such misinformation. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: drinking tea is effective in curing and relieving symptoms of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: In conclusion, the plant-based foods play a vital role to enhance the immunity of people to control of COVID-19.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: While remdesivir is an antiviral agent that is being explored as a treatment for COVID-19 and is available under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), there are currently no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent or treat COVID-19. Studies are in progress to learn more.
Question: are there any clinical trials available for the coronavirus
Evidence: Currently available published, peer-reviewed results mostly involve small sample sizes with study limitations restricting the interpretation of the findings.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: social distancing can not help you to avoid catching or spreading a virus
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: Refutes
Claim: mask-wearing can lessen COVID-19 severity
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: People with chronic conditions like diabetes and lung and heart disease are at greater risk of being hospitalized due to the coronavirus - but more than one in five patients who end up in intensive care had no such health problems.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with diabetes
Evidence: the association between DM and COVID-19-induced severe complications is still unclear
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Diarrhea is first sign of illness for some COVID-19
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Early mild symptoms appeared during course of disease provide a chance to early detect Covid-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The best way to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is still wear a mask
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: Model simulations, using data relevant to COVID-19 dynamics in the US states of New York and Washington, suggest that broad adoption of even relatively ineffective face masks may meaningfully reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and decrease peak hospitalizations and deaths.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Nicotine Could Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Active smoking was associated with decreased odds of Covid-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Will domestic pets get COVID-19? No the domestic pets will not get COVID-19
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19?
Evidence: Experimental data showed ferrets and cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 as infected by virus inoculation and can transmit the virus directly or indirectly by droplets or airborne route.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: 5G networks have lowered people's immune response
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: a popular theory has linked 5G to the spread of COVID-19
Verdict: Supports
Claim: nicotine could limit COVID-19 infection
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: At this time there is no clear evidence that smoking is protective against COVID-19, so the established recommendations to avoid smoking should be emphasized.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: suggested the coronavirus spreads faster in periods of lower humidity during winter
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: These results provide evidence for the relationship between several weather variables and the spread of COVID-19. However, the (conservatively) estimated relationships are not strong enough to seasonally control the epidemic in most locations.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: While this doesn't suggest cannabis should be considered a cure or treatment of COVID-19 on its own, it does suggest that it may have potential to help bring down inflammation and reduce anxiety in COVID-19 cases
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Since many articles have reported the effect of smoking (tobacco and cannabis) and vaping in cerebrovascular and neurological systems, and considering that smokers are more prone to viral and bacterial infection compared to non-smokers, it is high time to explore the probable correlation of smoking in COVID-19 patients.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous. 
Question: Can drinking alcohol help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Is drinking a healthy way of coping? No.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: People with high blood pressure may be at increased risk, especially if it's not under control and they have other health problems. 
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with hypertension?
Evidence: hypertension may be an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Patients who previously used RAAS inhibitors may have a better prognosis.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Anything that covers my nose and mouth, regardless of how it's made, will keep me from spreading the virus to others.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
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: I've heard hot drinks can kill the virus.
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: COVID-19 is usually caused a virus to which most probably the people with low immunity response are being affected. Plant-based foods increased the intestinal beneficial bacteria which are helpful and make up of 85% of the immune system. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Looking at children as the silent spreaders of SARS-CoV-2
Question: what are the health outcomes for children who contract COVID-19?
Evidence: Eight of 260 children diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The winter can spread the coronavirus transmission as in winter months, people may cluster together more indoors, increasing the number of folks at risk of becoming infection by someone who's contagious.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: The current study focuses on the relationship between environmental parameters and the growth rate of COVID-19. The statistical analysis suggests that the temperature changes retarded the growth rate and found that -6.28C and +14.51C temperature is the favorable range for COVID-19 growth.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The origin of the Covid-19 virus is still unclear
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: This paper investigates the COVID-19 virus origin by using artificial intelligence (AI) and raw genomic sequences of the virus.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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: Neutral
Claim: Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with 2019-nCoV, several types of coronaviruses can cause illness in animals and spread between animals and people.
Question: Can coronaviruses spread from people to animals?
Evidence:  The amount of economic damage associated with disease caused by coronavirus is significant and includes death of animals, decreased meat and dairy productivity, decreased weight gain, culling, loss from abortion and infertility.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of COVID-19 complications and deaths
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Some nutrients are actively involved in the proper functioning and strengthening of the human immune system against viral infections including dietary protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and selenium. Few studies were done on the effect of dietary components on prevention of COVID-19, but supplementation with these nutrients may be effective in improving the health status of patients with viral infections.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: alcohol-based hand sanitizers recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) are effective in killing the novel coronavirus.
Question: what hand sanitizers kill COVID-19?
Evidence: The index of India has remained very low (161) so far, mainly due to early implementation of social lockdown, social distancing, and sanitizing hands.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: masks aren't the most important protection against the coronavirus.
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: We identified seasonal human coronaviruses, influenza viruses and rhinoviruses in exhaled breath and coughs of children and adults with acute respiratory illness.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: host immunity to this unpredictable and highly contagious virus may not be fleeting and may be similar to that elicited by most other viral infections
Question: Are you immune to COVID-19 after recovering from it?
Evidence: we serially analysed immune responses in 113 COVID-19 patients with moderate (non-ICU) and severe (ICU) disease.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: There's a seasonality to many viruses. Flu and cold viruses tend to peak in winter months, then die down with warmer weather.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: These results provide evidence for the relationship between several weather variables and the spread of COVID-19. However, the (conservatively) estimated relationships are not strong enough to seasonally control the epidemic in most locations.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: while the hydroxychloroquine treatment caused no harm to patients, it was unlikely to be beneficial.
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: Preliminary clinical evidence from China and France showed significant virological and clinical benefit in HCQ-treated patients, while other studies, mostly including critically ill patients, did not show favorable results.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus may have been leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology
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: COVID-19 cannot be transmitted in hotter, more humid climates
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Each 1 C rise of temperature was associated with a 4.8951% (t = 2.29, p = 0.0226) decrease in the number of daily cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: They conclude strongly that physicians should avoid using either hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine to treat COVID-19
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: We found that fatalities are 18.8% (9/48) in HCQ group, which is significantly lower than 47.4% (238/502) in the NHCQ group (P<0.001). The time of hospital stay before patient death is 15 (10-21) days and 8 (4-14) days for the HCQ and NHCQ groups, respectively (P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were significantly reduced from 22.2 (8.3-118.9) pg mL-1 at the beginning of the treatment to 5.2 (3.0-23.4) pg mL-1 (P<0.05) at the end of the treatment in the HCQ group but there is no change in the NHCQ group.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: people suffering from symptoms of the illness avoid taking the common anti-inflammatory painkiller, which is known by brand names like Advil and Motrin.
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: However, available data from limited studies show administration of recombinant ACE2 improves lung damage caused by respiratory viruses, suggesting ibuprofen use may be beneficial in COVID-19 disease. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: if you get flu shots you will not get flu and covid-19
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: Neutral
Claim: it is no coincidence that the world's first 5G-masts were in Wuhan-a misleading claim as 5G was piloted in multiple cities, and there have been severe COVID-19 outbreaks in parts of the world without any 5G network (e.g., Iran).
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: Findings revealed that belief in 5G COVID-19 conspiracy theories was positively correlated with state anger, which in turn, was associated with a greater justification of real-life and hypothetical violence in response to an alleged link between 5G mobile technology and COVID-19, alongside a greater intent to engage in similar behaviours in the future.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: If needed, you may be given treatment to boost your immune system. For instance, lab-made antibodies can be given as an IV infusion so you have enough to fight infection. Reduce Your Risk for 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: 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: Inefficient human-to-human transmission of zoonotic strains may initially limit the spread of transmission, but an infection may be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Social distancing is a voluntary practice to help stop the spread of COVID-19
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: To analyze the effectiveness of social distancing in the United States (U.S.).
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Covid-19 only kills the elderly, so younger people can relax
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: Smokers seem less likely than non-smokers to fall ill with coronavirus
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Is cannabis use epidemiologically associated with coronavirus incidence rate (CVIR)?
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Cloth masks offer no protection from COVID-19
Question: Can wearing masks help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Wearing medical masks or N95 masks (namely N95 respirators) can slow the virus spread and reduce the infection risk.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: there is no scientifc evidence that ibuprofen and other drugs like it, can make you sicker if you have covid-19
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: Concern about the appropriate role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in COVID-19 speculate that NSAIDs, in particular ibuprofen, may upregulate the entry point for the virus, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 receptors and increase susceptibility to the virus or worsen symptoms in existing disease.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: hand sanitizer may help rid your hands of unwanted germs.
Question: what hand sanitizers kill COVID-19?
Evidence: The index of India has remained very low (161) so far, mainly due to early implementation of social lockdown, social distancing, and sanitizing hands.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: SARS-CoV-2 can use neuropilin-1, which is strongly expressed by endothelial cells and epithelial cells facing the nasal cavity
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: The results suggest the effectiveness of Ribavirin, Remdesivir, Sofosbuvir, Galidesivir, and Tenofovir as potent drugs against SARS-CoV-2 since they tightly bind to its RdRp. In addition, the results suggest guanosine derivative (IDX-184), Setrobuvir, and YAK as top seeds for antiviral treatments with high potential to fight the SARS-CoV-2 strain specifically. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: doctors are warning that COVID-19 cases around Washington state could rise as people take social gatherings inside to avoid inclement weather outside.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: These results provide evidence for the relationship between several weather variables and the spread of COVID-19. However, the (conservatively) estimated relationships are not strong enough to seasonally control the epidemic in most locations.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The practice of social distancing means staying home and away from others as much as possible to help prevent spread of COVID-19.
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: SARS-CoV-2 is different from other viruses, including other coronaviruses.
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: However, low quality evidence suggests that N95 respirators protect HCWs from clinical respiratory infections.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: There is a significant correlation between low vitamin D levels and death from 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: Even younger people may experience a similar pattern of severe disease as older people
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: Hot Weather May Make It Harder for Coronavirus to Survive.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Correcting for that distributed delay and offering conservative estimates, we find a negative relationship between temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and estimated reproduction number ([R]), with each degree Celsius associated with a 3.1% (95% CI, 1.5% to 4.8%) reduction in [R]. Higher levels of relative humidity strengthen the negative effect of temperature above 25 degrees.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: As several FDA-approved or repurposed drugs are being tested as antiviral candidates at clinics without sufficient information, rapid preclinical animal studies should proceed to identify therapeutic drug candidates with strong antiviral potential and high safety prior to a human efficacy trial.
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: We show that a high (5106 pfu) and medium (5104 pfu) dose of SARS-CoV-2 induces consistent upper respiratory tract (URT) viral RNA shedding in both groups of six challenged animals, whilst a low dose (5102 pfu) resulted in only one of six displaying signs of URT viral RNA replication.  
Verdict: Neutral