jpd459/healthver_resplit_larger huggingface dataset:
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: Various semisynthetic derivatives of glycopeptide antibiotics including vancomycin, eremomycin, teicoplanin, ristocetin A and DA-40926 have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity against feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and human (SARS-CoV, Frankfurt-1 strain) coronavirus in cell culture in comparison with their activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: While no studies exist directly linking cannabis combustion (or cannabis consumption in general) to coronavirus symptoms, COVID-19 causes respiratory illness, an issue smoking only exacerbates.
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: Where can I buy hand sanitizer and if I can't find it in the store, can I make my own? But if you can't find any at the store, all is not lost - you can make your own.
Question: Where can I buy hand sanitizer and if I can’t find it in the store, can I make my own?
Evidence: Hand hygiene is of utmost importance as it may be contaminated easily from direct contact with airborne microorganism droplets from coughs and sneezes. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: And, most importantly, there's scant evidence to support taking supplements to prevent COVID-19
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: Vitamin D Level Reduces The Risk of 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: A combination of two existing drugs is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures.
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: Lockdowns and Mask Mandates Do Not Lead to Reduced COVID transmission rates or deaths
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: Notably, masks are found to be useful with respect to both preventing illness in healthy persons and preventing asymptomatic transmission. Hypothetical mask adoption scenarios, for Washington and New York state, suggest that immediate near universal (80%) adoption of moderately (50%) effective masks could prevent on the order of 17--45% of projected deaths over two months in New York, while decreasing the peak daily death rate by 34--58%, absent other changes in epidemic dynamics. Even very weak masks (20% effective) can still be useful if the underlying transmission rate is relatively low or decreasing: In Washington, where baseline transmission is much less intense, 80% adoption of such masks could reduce mortality by 24--65% (and peak deaths 15--69%), compared to 2--9% mortality reduction in New York (peak death reduction 9--18%).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to treat fever and pain associated with COVID-19, according to the European Medicines Agency
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: there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people from pet fur
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19 to people?
Evidence: In this review, we summarize the natural cases of SARS-CoV-2 in animals with the latest researches conducted in this field. This review will be helpful to think insights of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions, spread, and demand for sero-prevalence studies especially in companion animals.
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: At this time, there is no supporting evidence to discourage the use of ibuprofen.
Verdict: Supports
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: 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: Can Covid-19, the new coronavirus, be cured by garlic or garlic water? No.
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: Supports
Claim: A face shield is a clear plastic shield covering the entire front of the face, and people are wondering if it offers better protection against the coronavirus than a face mask
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: We also demonstrated that three brands of medical masks blocked over 99% viruses in aerosols. The avian coronavirus was completely inactivated after being steamed for 5 minutes.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Cancer survivors and patients should be treated similarly to other high-risk groups since an overreaction from the immune system can lead to cancer progression if infected with the new coronavirus.
Question: Does having a weakened immune system increase your risk of illness from COVID-19?
Evidence: Pregnant women are more at risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their weakened immune system.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: If you are found to be infected with a common coronavirus (229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1), that does not mean you are infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: This provides evidences strongly supporting scientific hypotheses that bats and pangolins are probable hosts for the COVID-19 virus. At the whole genome analysis level, our findings also indicate that bats are more likely the hosts for the COVID-19 virus than pangolins.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: But blocking the immune system's communications network as the coronavirus mounts an attack could have unintended consequences.
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: Thus both qualitative and quantitative features of B and T cell immunity to spike constitute informative biomarkers of the protective potential of novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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 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:  While most of the drug treatments (the FDA-approved drugs lopinavir-ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, and emtricitabinetenofovir against SARS-CoV-2 infection) marginally reduced clinical symptoms, they did not reduce virus titers, with the exception of emtricitabine-tenofovir treatment, which led to diminished virus titers in nasal washes at 8 dpi. 
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: When used for prophylaxis or treatment neither the standard human malaria dose (6.5 mg/kg) nor a high dose (50 mg/kg) of HCQ had any beneficial effect on clinical disease or SARS-CoV-2 kinetics (replication/shedding) in the Syrian hamster disease model. Similarly, HCQ prophylaxis/treatment (6.5 mg/kg) did not significantly benefit clinical outcome nor reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication/shedding in the upper and lower respiratory tract in the rhesus macaque disease model. In conclusion, our preclinical animal studies do not support the use of HCQ in prophylaxis/treatment of COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Critically ill patients have robust immunity to new coronavirus
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: Thus both qualitative and quantitative features of B and T cell immunity to spike constitute informative biomarkers of the protective potential of novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Verdict: Neutral
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: stronger social distancing, e.g., cutting 75% of social ties, can reduce the outbreak by 75% for the C isolation, by 33% for the D isolation, and by 87% for the (C+D) isolation strategy.
Verdict: Neutral
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: In vitro, remdesivir inhibited replication of SARS-CoV-2.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: "Isopropyl alcohol 70 percent, or isopropyl alcohol 99 percent diluted to 70 percent with purified water, kills organisms by denaturing their proteins.
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: Neutral
Claim: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
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: Supports
Claim: Wearing a face mask keeps me from spreading the virus, so I don't need to worry about getting close to others
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Surgical face masks significantly reduced detection of influenza virus RNA in respiratory droplets and coronavirus RNA in aerosols, with a trend toward reduced detection of coronavirus RNA in respiratory droplets.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets.
Question: Can COVID-19 spread through food?
Evidence: This review summarizes the possible transmission ways of COVID-19 through the foods, food supply chain, surfaces, and environment before exploring the development of corresponding detection tools of SARS-CoV-2.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Countries with higher death rates had larger numbers of covid-19 patients with vitamin D deficiency than countries with lower death rates
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: The fall will bring new risks in the COVID-19 pandemic along with colder weather and indoor family holiday gatherings, Canada's chief public health officer warned Friday.
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: Vitamin C Protects Against Coronavirus
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: 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: 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: Supports
Claim: Dexamethasone can not improve COVID-19 survival
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: dexamethasone is associated with increased risk of viral and respiratory infections, and causes lymphopenia, which is associated with worse outcomes during COVID-19 infections.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: People infected with the coronavirus carry immune cells known as T cells that help the body fight off the infection
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: 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: 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: Supports
Claim: hypertension don't appear to increase the risk of more serious forms of the illness in covid-19 patients.
Question: what kinds of complications related to COVID-19 are associated with hypertension?
Evidence:  Hypertension has been proven to be more prevalent in patients with an adverse outcome (admission in intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: it may be difficult for COVID-19 to spread in the areas with high UV-B radiation.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: temperature is the most influential parameter that reduces the growth at the rate of 13-17 cases/day with a 1C rise in temperature.
Verdict: Supports
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: This review evaluates whether pregnancy is a risk factor for COVID-19 by looking at the expression of immune markers such as immune cells and cytokines in order to have a better understanding on the pathophysiology of the disease, thus reducing maternal deaths.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: The coronavirus, which first sickened people in China in December, is thought to have passed from animals to humans, like many similar pathogens, but nothing has been confirmed yet by any peer-reviewed scientific research, global public health agency or academic expert. 
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: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. 
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence: the tested bacteria favor lower temperatures for their survival in dry environments
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: cats generally don't show signs of illness from COVID-19 virus.
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19?
Evidence: Humans showing clinical symptoms of respiratory infections have been undergoing for COVID-19 diagnostic test but many infected people and few pets confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 remained asymptomatic. 
Verdict: Supports
Claim: vitamin D play a pivotal rolein viral covid-19 infections.
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: 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: The WHO, ECDC and CDC have issued conflicting guidelines on the use of respiratory filters (N95) by HCWs.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: wearing a mask is effective in preventing COVID-19
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Since droplet transmission is the main route of transmission, wearing a mask serves as a crucial preventive measure.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: by lessening the amount of virus you take in by putting on a mask, you may also lessen the likelihood of getting severely sick if you contract COVID-19.
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: Coronavirus definition is - any of a family (Coronaviridae) of large single-stranded RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped spike proteins, infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agents of MERS, SARS, and COVID-19 -abbreviation CoV, CV.
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: Neutral
Claim: it is possible to get COVID-19 by coming into contact with infected particles that can survive on surfaces for days or weeks. That led people to vigorously wipe down their light switches, scrub their groceries, and horde cleaning supplies.
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence: Our findings of extensive viral RNA contamination of surfaces and air across a range of acute healthcare settings in the absence of cultured virus underlines the potential risk from surface and air contamination in managing COVID-19, and the need for effective use of PPE, social distancing, and hand/surface hygiene.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: UV lights kill up to 99.9% of a room's airborne pathogens (coronavirus) in minutes.
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: To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
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: 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: Human Coronavirus 229E Remains Infectious on Common Touch Surface Materials
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: there is SARS-CoV-2 RNA in various clinical specimens, suggesting other transmission routes for this virus besides respiratory secretions 
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: The results of a trial that found dexamethasone reduced the risk of death in extremely ill coronavirus patients
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: In June 2020, a large randomised controlled clinical trial in the UK found that dexamethasone was effective in reducing the number of deaths in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Vitamin D Can Help Reduce COVID-19 Risks
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: The severity of coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID-19) is determined by the presence of pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), myocarditis, microvascular thrombosis and/or cytokine storms, all of which involve underlying inflammation.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Can Pets Spread Coronavirus (COVID-19) to People? The answer is YES
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19?
Evidence: The examination of these findings and the particular role of animals in COVID-19 should be carefully analyzed in order to establish preparation and containment measures.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: T cells may help COVID-19 patients - and people never exposed to the virus
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: reinfection can occur a few months after recovering from an initial bout of COVID-19.
Question: Are you immune to COVID-19 after recovering from it?
Evidence: Several hospitals in different countries have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the semen and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with severe COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Excessive alcohol use can weaken the immune system
Question: Can drinking alcohol help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: While it remains much too early to determine precisely how alcohol use might affect risk for or progression of COVID19, any efforts to connect the dots from past alcohol research would suggest it wise for nondrinkers and lowrisk drinkers to maintain that status during this public health crisis.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: the time between exposure and the onset of covid-19 symptoms-is anywhere between two to 14 days. 
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: The risk of getting COVID-19 from food you cook yourself or from handling and consuming food from restaurants and takeout or drive-thru meals is thought to be very low. Currently, there is no evidence that food is associated with spreading the virus that causes 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: Neutral
Claim: Heart patients hospitalized with COVID-19 can safely continue taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: Our results strongly support the recommendation that ACEI and ARB should be continued in the population and in COVID-19 positive patients, reinforcing the position of several scientific societies.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Children at Low Risk for Severe COVID-19. 
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: Refutes
Claim: Marijuana and COVID-19: What a Doctor Wants You to Know
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: Hydroxychloroquine is a medication that doctors prescribe to treat a variety of conditions, including malaria, arthritis, and lupus.
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: There is theoretical, experimental, preclinical and clinical evidence of the effectiveness of chloroquine in patients affected with COVID-19. 
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: stronger social distancing, e.g., cutting 75% of social ties, can reduce the outbreak by 75% for the C isolation, by 33% for the D isolation, and by 87% for the (C+D) isolation strategy.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: With the 2019 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it's especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than physical distancing, also known as social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from 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: Neutral
Claim: vitamin D deficiency increases a person's risk of COVID-19 by 77%, compared to those with sufficient levels of the nutrient.
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: Symptoms That Lead to Severe COVID-19 Identified Nearly everyone on the planet is well aware of COVID-19's most common symptoms, which include fever, shortness of breath, and a dry cough.
Question: What are some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: The common symptoms were as follows: fever (25%), dry cough (17.3%), chest distress (11.5%), and fatigue (9.6%). There were 33 (63.5%) patients had comorbidities, the most common symptom was hypertension (17, 51.5%). Twenty-six (78.8%) patients developed pneumonia on admission. Lymphocytes (0.6  109/L) decreased in both mild and severe/critical patients.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Some say that's not a problem because the vast majority of children don't get severely ill from COVID-19.
Question: Can children get COVID-19?
Evidence: A high prevalence of obesity in patients with severe COVID-19 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation was recently reported.(1)
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Coronavirus is a hoax and part of a wider 5G
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: 5G communication technology has the characteristics of faster speed, shorter time delay and denser capacity. In COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control work, it can further improve the efficiency of doctors&apos; diagnosis, improve patients&apos; medical experience, realize the remote sharing of high-quality medical resources and real-time information exchange, effectively block the spread of epidemic, alleviate the shortage of medical resources and medical staff, and make the epidemic prevention and control more efficient.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: The invisible light can kill viruses and pathogens like the one that causes COVID-19
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: Neutral
Claim: Human can not infect cats and dogs, lions and tigers, and now mink.
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: vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of COVID-19 complications and deaths
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: It is safe to take acetaminophen with ibuprofen, and studies show taking them together may even be more effective for certain types of pain than opioid medications.
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: Once a person has contracted coronavirus, it can take 2-14 days for symptoms to appear. The average incubation period appears to be roughly 5-6 days.
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: In our cohort, ODs were an early symptom of COVID-19
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Is vinegar and water an effective disinfectant? Probably not. Although acids will inactivate viruses (vinegar is acetic acid), it's quite dilute and the pH isn't likely low enough.
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: Supports
Claim: Patients taking ACE-i and ARBs who contract COVID-19 should continue treatment, unless otherwise advised by their physician
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: among patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19, ACEI/ARB use was not associated with increased risk of hospital admission.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Cannabis Could Help Fight COVID-19 Infection
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Cannabis thus joins tobacco as a SARS2-CoV-2 risk factor.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Masks will weaken your immune system
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: Some HIV patients with 'powerful immune systems' may naturally clear HIV infections
Question: will SARS-CoV2 infected people develop immunity?
Evidence: Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of viral cycles and immunity is an important prerequisite for the development of vaccination strategies and development of effective drugs.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: WEARING a face mask does help protect you from catching Covid-19 and from spreading it 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: hydroxychloroquine may limit spread of SARS-CoV-2 and morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 pandemic
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: HCQ should be prescribed as a part of treatment for critically ill COVID-19 patients, with possible outcome of saving lives.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral infection that causes COVID-19. Symptoms can affect the airways and lungs, although this may vary from person to person.
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Gustatory Dysfunction as an Early Symptom in COVID-19 Screening
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and D, can be quite toxic at high doses, but vitamin C is reasonably safe as it is easily excreted
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: Refutes
Claim: Scientists now suspect this coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, originated in a bat and somehow hopped to another animal, possibly the pangolin, which then passed it on to humans
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: Supports
Claim: As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded around the globe, there have been a few reports of pets and other animals kept in captivity being infected.
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: Supports
Claim: The cytokine storm in COVID-19 may have some differences from the cytokine storms in other clinical settings.
Question: what is a cytokine storm and how is it related to COVID-19?
Evidence: The molecular mechanism of the cytokine storm has not been explored extensively yet.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: the coronavirus hasn't been bioengineered
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: This means that antibiotics, which are designed to kill bacteria, simply don't work against viruses.
Question: Do antibiotics work against the coronavirus?
Evidence: Various semisynthetic derivatives of glycopeptide antibiotics including vancomycin, eremomycin, teicoplanin, ristocetin A and DA-40926 have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity against feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and human (SARS-CoV, Frankfurt-1 strain) coronavirus in cell culture in comparison with their activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: In tracking COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, early reports indicated that young people were more likely to have milder cases of the disease.
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: Supports
Claim: hydroxychloroquine may limit spread of SARS-CoV-2 and morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 pandemic
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: patients treated with HCQ at the time of early hospital recovered faster than those who treated later or taken as second line choose for their obvious shorter hospitalization time.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Keep in mind: no hand sanitizer can guarantee it's 100 percent effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
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: Neutral
Claim: Patients with cardiovascular diseases are often prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs or ACE inhibitors), which they take on a daily basis.
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: Our results strongly support the recommendation that ACEI and ARB should be continued in the population and in COVID-19 positive patients, reinforcing the position of several scientific societies.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Nicotine substitutes could have a positive effect in fighting COVID-19
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: Crowded areas will increase covid-19 transmission risk.
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: Researchers found that compared to a common strain of the flu, the new coronavirus remained active longer on all surfaces, including skin
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: Being a novel pandemic coronavirus version, it might be ongoing during summer conditions associated with higher air temperatures, low relative humidity and precipitation levels.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: To date, a headache has been reported both early and late in the infection phase, with a later headache possibly being associated with worsening illness.
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: Refutes
Claim: Rashes, headaches, tingling: the less common coronavirus symptoms that patients have
Question: Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: The reports on the neurological findings are increasing rapidly and headache seems to be the leader on the symptom list. Headache was reported in 11%34% of the hospitalized COVID19 patients,
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Can face masks help slow the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19? Yes, face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, help slow the spread of the virus.
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: As cold weather arrives, the number of covid-19 cases increases
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: COVID-19 may be more severe in some people because of the medications they take should not stop taking their drugs.
Question: are patients taking Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors at increased risk for COVID-19?
Evidence: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers are not associated with severe COVID-19 infection in a multi-site UK acute hospital trust
Verdict: Refutes
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: Several hospitals in different countries have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the semen and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with severe COVID-19.
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: In drawing things to a close, we explore the use of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 5G, among others, to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections
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: Face masks and social distancing measures reduce COVID-19 spread, but they also work against other pathogens.
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: 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: Our results suggest use of face masks by the general public is potentially of high value in curtailing community transmission and the burden of the pandemic. The community-wide benefits are likely to be greatest when face masks are used in conjunction with other non-pharmaceutical practices (such as social-distancing), and when adoption is nearly universal (nation-wide) and compliance is high.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Is Your Headache a Symptom of Coronavirus? No, It's not the most common sign of COVID-19, but experts say a pounding head shouldn't be ignored.
Question: Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Muscle injury or myalgia was the most common (19.2%, 95%CI 15.423.2%) neurologic symptom of COVID-19, followed by headache (10.9%, 95%CI 8.6213.51%);
Verdict: Supports
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: This paper investigates the COVID-19 virus origin by using artificial intelligence (AI) and raw genomic sequences of the virus.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: taking certain supplements such as vitamin d and vitamin c help boost your immune system in the fight against COVID-19
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: Supports
Claim: The chance of your pet catching the coronavirus from you or another pet in the neighborhood is low,
Question: Can pets get the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: The case raised the alarming possibility that pets could become part of the transmission chain for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which could potentially harm both them and us
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The Covid-19 Pandemic Has Escalated Domestic Violence Worldwide
Question: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted violence in society, including violent crimes?
Evidence: Domestic violence is a global public health problem.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Vitamin D cannot fight the coronavirus
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: The severity of coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID-19) is determined by the presence of pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), myocarditis, microvascular thrombosis and/or cytokine storms, all of which involve underlying inflammation.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: There are many types of coronaviruses
Question: what is the origin of COVID-19
Evidence: However, the source(s) and transmission routine(s) of SARSCoV2 remain elusive' (1).
Verdict: Neutral