jpd459/healthver_resplit_larger huggingface dataset:
Claim: Common Steroid Could Be Cheap and Effective Treatment for Severe COVID-19.
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: Refutes
Claim: only people with visible symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are capable of spreading the virus
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Anosmia and ageusia as primary symptoms of COVID-19
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: favipiravir Protects Against Coronavirus
Question: Can favipiravir help treat COVID-19?
Evidence: So far, there are no specific treatments for patients with coronavirus disease19 (COVID19)
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Commuters can wear face masks to protect against the spread of new coronavirus
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: Supports
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: Patients who take ACEIs and ARBS may be at increased risk of severe disease outcomes due to SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Verdict: Supports
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: 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: When infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, many people experience mild and moderate symptoms, but for some people infection can be severe or fatal. 
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: The role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 is not known.
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: Supports
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: 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: Is it true that using ibuprofen has been shown to worsen symptoms of Coronavirus? the short answer is NO
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: For NSAIDs, there is no clear scientific evidence linking ibuprofen and other NSAIDs to worsening of COVID-19;
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Masks can become contaminated very quickly, and every time the wearer breathes in, they inhale contaminants
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence:  However, wearing N95 respirators can prevent 73 more (95% CI 46-91) clinical respiratory infections per 1000 HCWs compared to surgical masks (2 RCTs; 2594 patients; low quality of evidence).
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Interest in vitamin D has spiked since the coronavirus outbreak, with many people wondering whether it can help prevent COVID-19 or make the disease less severe if an infection does happen.
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: surgical masks are effective barriers in preventing people from discharging infectious particles, at least quantity-wise.
Question: Does a surgical mask help avoid COVID-19?
Evidence: Such transmission could be reduced by surgical mask usage, especially when masks were worn by infected individuals.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Does COVID-19 spread through food? Yes, it is possible
Question: Can COVID-19 spread through food?
Evidence: SARS-COV-2 transmission through food, food packages, and food handlers has not been identified as a risk factor for the disease.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Dexamethasone can not improve COVID-19 survival
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: The dexamethasone was top-ranked in the prediction, which was the first reported drug to be able to significantly reduce the death rate of COVID-19 patients receiving respiratory support.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Bowel tolerance levels of C taken in divided doses throughout the day, is a clinically proven antiviral, without equal
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: Favipiravir at high doses has potent antiviral activity in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters, whereas hydroxychloroquine lacks activity
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: Ginger can treat a coronavirus infection
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: compounds derived from Allium sativum (garlic) have the potential to decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and to reverse the immunological abnormalities to more acceptable levels. Allium sativum is suggested as a beneficial preventive measure before being infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Hydroxychloroquine Is Ineffective In Treatment Of Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19
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: Hydroxychloroquine, on the other hand, completely lacks antiviral activity, thus providing no scientific basis for its further use in COVID-19 patients.
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: 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: social distancing is associated with a statistically-significant reduction in the doubling rate for all but three states.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 is much more dangerous and deadly than Flu.
Question: How dangerous is COVID-19?
Evidence: During quarantine due to the COVID-19, home risks to become a very dangerous place for victims of domestic violence.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Masks work in two ways, Schaffner explained. They prevent particles from exiting the mask wear's nose and mouth but masks also prevent outside particles from getting inside the wear's nose and mouth.
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: COVID-19 has led to the suspension of many clinical studies of experimental treatments.
Question: are there any clinical trials available for the coronavirus
Evidence: In total, 309 trials evaluating therapeutic management options, 23 studies assessing preventive strategies and 3 studies examining both were retrieved.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Vitamin C has been postulated by this paper as one of the treatment measures that can reduce the infection rate and also contribute to the cure of COVID-19. 
Question: Can vitamin C treat COVID-19?
Evidence: The inpatient mortality rate in this series was 12% with 17.6% rates of intubation and mechanical ventilation. We noted a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including ferritin and D-dimer, and a trend to decreasing FiO2 requirements, after vitamin C administration.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Very often, people with covid-19 start off with minor physical complaints - slight cough, headache, low-grade fever - that gradually worsen.
Question: Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: Cough, fever, headache and asthenia were the most prevalent symptoms.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 can unfortunately be fatal for those with suppressed immune systems.
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: Drink water often to flush covid-19 into your stomach where acid will kill it.
Question: Does drinking lots of water help flush out COVID-19?
Evidence: Basic hygiene interventions such as handwashing with water and soap (HWWS) when applied consistently will deactivate and remove the virus particles from the hands.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: There is Potential Role of Social Distancing in Mitigating Spread of Coronavirus Disease
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: Our models predict these strict social distancing measures caused a 79% and 61% reduction in the daily cases of COVID-19 across Australia and New Zealand respectively. 
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Though vitamin C supplements are considered safe, according to the CDC, it's easy to consume all the vitamin C you need through your diet.
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: COVID-19 is the name given by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020 for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. 
Question: Do COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 mean the same thing?
Evidence: The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 (Coronaviridae; Betacoronavirus) is the underlying cause of COVID-19 disease.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Vitamin D deficiency may raise risk of getting COVID-19
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: vitamin C prevent COVID-19, among other advice
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: pets are not able to spread the COVID-19 virus.
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: The coronavirus can be dramatically slowed or stopped completely with the immediate widespread doses of 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: 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: 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 should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
Question: Can face masks protect me from the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: 2) addresses controversies surrounding the mask from perspectives of attitude, effectiveness, and necessity of wearing the mask with evidence that the use of mask would effectively interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases in both hospital settings and community settings;
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: As more companies begin clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine
Question: are there any clinical trials available for the coronavirus
Evidence: In total, 309 trials evaluating therapeutic management options, 23 studies assessing preventive strategies and 3 studies examining both were retrieved.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Cloth masks help protect others from contracting covid-19
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: We make 3 key observations: 1. Masks, even with suboptimal efficacy in both prevention of acquisition and transmission of infection, could substantially decrease the reproduction number for COVID-19 if widely used. 2. Widespread masking may be sufficient to suppress epidemics where R has been brought close to 1 via other measures (e.g., distancing). 3. Assortment within populations (the tendency for interactions between masked individuals to be more likely than interactions between masked and unmasked individuals) would rapidly erode the impact of masks.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The ideal face mask blocks large respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes - the primary method by which people pass the coronavirus to others
Question: what are the best masks for preventing infection by Covid-19?
Evidence: Ma's research shows N95 masks, medical masks, even homemade masks could block at least 90% of the virus in aerosols
Verdict: Supports
Claim: social distancing measures like cancelling public gatherings are key to fighting the spread of the coronavirus.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: social distancing is associated with a statistically-significant reduction in the doubling rate for all but three states.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Several types of OTC medicine can help to reduce the fever, headaches, and body aches that may come with COVID-19. That includes acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Question: Can taking medication to lower fever, such as paracetamol (tylenol) and ibuprofen (advil) worsen COVID-19?
Evidence: the safety of ibuprofen in COVID-19 patients has been questioned due to anecdotal reports of worsening symptoms in previously healthy young adults.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: rinsing your nose with saline protects against infection with the COVID-19 virus.
Question: Does garlic protect against covid-19
Evidence: In late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, several patients with viral pneumonia were identified as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). So far, there are no specific treatments for patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), and the treatments available today are based on previous experience with similar viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and Influenza virus.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: The World Health Organization (WHO) has not officially declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic
Question: When was the COVID-19 pandemic declared?
Evidence: At a news briefing , WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that over the past 2 weeks, the number of cases outside China increased 13-fold and the number of countries with cases increased threefold. Further increases are expected.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Does Smoking Make COVID-19 Better? No it does not
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence:  Data indicate CVIR demonstrates significant trends across cannabis use intensity quintiles and with relaxed cannabis legislation. Recent cannabis use is independently predictive of CVIR in bivariate and multivariable adjusted models and intensity of use is interactively significant. 
Verdict: Supports
Claim: COVID-19 is a new disease, and we are still learning about it.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: We identified a total of 17 patients who received IV vitamin C for COVID-19. The inpatient mortality rate in this series was 12% with 17.6% rates of intubation and mechanical ventilation. We noted a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including ferritin and D-dimer, and a trend to decreasing FiO2 requirements, after vitamin C administration. 
Verdict: Neutral
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: 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: Vitamin D deficiency linked to increased risk for 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 dual-antibody treatment worked best on patients who did not mount an immune system response to the virus.
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: But at the start of the pandemic, there was concern that specific medications for high blood pressure could be linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients
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: Supports
Claim: No, a CDC-WHO study does not prove that masks do not prevent spread of COVID-19
Question: How much impact do masks have on preventing the spread of the COVID-19?
Evidence: We recommend immediate mask wearing recommendations, official guidelines for correct use, and awareness campaigns to shift masking mindsets away from pure self-protection, towards aspirational goals of responsibly protecting one's community.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Although vinegar has disinfectant properties, it is not effective against the coronavirus that causes 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: Vitamin C, especially in the form of an intravenous (IV) infusion, is thought to help reverse some of the damage that COVID-19 can cause.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: CONCLUSION The use of IV vitamin C in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease may be feasible.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: nicotine could limit COVID-19 infection
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: This suggests that nicotine may have some preventive or modulatory effect on the inflammatory response in the lungs.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: As cold weather arrives, U.S. states see record increases
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: Supports
Claim: Hand sanitizer has also been shown to be less effective than hand-washing at preventing the flu. So far, however, the evidence remains unclear, so it's still best to use hand sanitizers if soap and water aren't available.
Question: what hand sanitizers kill COVID-19?
Evidence: Most alcohol based hand sanitizers are effective at inactivating enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in covid-19 patients
Question: Does Vitamin D impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Several studies demonstrated the role of vitamin D in reducing the risk of acute viral respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. These include direct inhibition with viral replication or with anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory ways. In the meta-analysis, vitamin D supplementation has been shown as safe and effective against acute respiratory tract infections. Thus, people who are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency during this global pandemic should consider taking vitamin D supplements to maintain the circulating 25(OH)D in the optimal levels (75-125nmol/L).
Verdict: Neutral
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: Our results indicate that surgical face masks could prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza viruses from symptomatic individuals.
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: CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of COVID-19 patients, ibuprofen use was not associated with worse clinical outcomes, compared with paracetamol or no antipyretic.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: drinking five cups of black tea a day quadrupled the body's immune defense system after two weeks, probably because of theanine.
Question: Can drinking hot green tea help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: This analysis may help to create a new ethno-drug formulation for preventing or curing the COVID-19
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Most hospitalized COVID-19 patients have neurological symptoms
Question: Which are the first symptoms of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: We present a case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with an initial medical presentation of keratoconjunctivitis, the first such reported case in North America. The patient's primary symptom was a red eye with watery discharge, though she did have mild respiratory symptoms, without fever.
Verdict: Refutes
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: 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: Vitamin D, on the other hand, is in fact being tested as a potential treatment for COVID-19 after studies showed that patients who were given the supplement showed fewer instances of ICU admissions and risk of death. 
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: 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: Our results support the view that the pet owners and other persons with COVID-19 in close contact with animals should be cautious of the way they interact with them.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: vitamin D deficiency may be linked to higher mortality rates 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: Supports
Claim: Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in covid-19 patients
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: We don't yet know how frequently cats become infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the real world
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: The role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 is not known.
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: Refutes
Claim: alcohol does not protect against infection or illness relating to COVID-19.
Question: Can drinking alcohol help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Is drinking a healthy way of coping? No.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: The COVID-19 virus can spread in hot and humid climates
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Acute abdomen as an early symptom of COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: camostat mesylate is a drug that may work to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: Several efforts are currently made to find a treatment for COVID-19 patients. So far, several anti-viral and immunosuppressive or immunomodulating drugs have demonstrated some efficacy on COVID-19 both in vitro and in animal models as well as in cases series. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: a trial of the drug dexamethasone shows it may be the first treatment demonstrated to save the lives of Covid-19 patients.
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: Trials such as the SOLIDARITY and RECOVERY are ongoing, and first results were announced in favour of therapy with dexamethasone with a significant trend showing greatest benefit among those patients requiring ventilation.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Masks work in two ways, Schaffner explained. They prevent particles from exiting the mask wear's nose and mouth but masks also prevent outside particles from getting inside the wear's nose and mouth.
Question: Can wearing masks help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: This study 1) illustrates transmission routes of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); 2) addresses controversies surrounding the mask from perspectives of attitude, effectiveness, and necessity of wearing the mask with evidence that the use of mask would effectively interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases in both hospital settings and community settings; and 3) provides suggestion that the public should wear the mask during COVID-19 pandemic according to local context.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: There's no evidence that taking vitamin C regularly can help prevent coronavirus or COVID-19.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: CONCLUSION The use of IV vitamin C in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease may be feasible.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: zinc is very important. Zinc is very important for immune function
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: Neutral
Claim: Most respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, do not tend to last on surfaces
Question: touching a contaminated surface will not make you sick
Evidence: Most viruses from the respiratory tract, such as coronaviruses, influenza, SARS-CoV, or rhinovirus, can persist on surfaces for a few days.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: From surgical-style disposable masks to washable cotton face coverings to coveted N95 masks, there has been a run on face masks of all kinds since news of the pandemic spread.
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: Neutral
Claim: Vitamin C is a common remedy that will cure the common cold and flu, and covid-19.
Question: Does Vitamin C impact COVID-19 prevention and treatment?
Evidence: Although COVID-19 can be rapidly diagnosed, efficient clinical treatment of COVID-19 remains unavailable, resulting in high fatality.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Diabetes Can Put You at Greater Risk of Complications, But It's Less Likely If the Diabetes Is Well-Controlled 
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: Supports
Claim: 5G networks have lowered people's immune response
Question: Can 5G technology cause COVID-19?
Evidence: 32.2% (n=75) denounced the conspiracy theory
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: hydroxychloroquine (brand name: Plaquenil) does not provide a medical benefit for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Question: does hydroxychloroquine treat COVID-19?
Evidence: Since COVID-19 outbreak, various agents have been tested but no proven effective therapies have been identified.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: practicing social distancing is an effective public health tool to reduce the spread of the disease.
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: social distancing and have seen slowing the spread of COVID-19.
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: Thus, our goal is to test the most active antivirals identified in adequate animal models infected with SARS-CoV-2, to add more information about possible in vivo efficacy. In turn, successful antivirals could be tested in clinical trials as treatments for infected patients, but also as pre-exposure prophylaxis to avoid novel infections until an effective and safe vaccine is developed.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: if your immune system is string, covid-19 can not harm your body
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: Science is hoping that Covid-19 will also trigger an immune response from another arm of the adaptive immune system -- T cells.
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: If you're smoking weed to ease your stress during the coronavirus pandemic, experts say it's time to think twice. Smoking marijuana, even occasionally, can increase your risk for more severe
Question: Can smoking cannabis (weed) help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Male, aged over 65, smoking patients might face a greater risk of developing into the critical or mortal condition and the comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases could also greatly affect the prognosis of the COVID-19.
Verdict: Supports
Claim:  A face covering can prevent people who are asymptomatic carriers of Covid-19 from spreading the virus
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: Spread of the virus happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. 
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: the centralized social distancing is necessary to minimize the pandemic spreading.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: the drug pixatimod is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 viral attachment and invasion in Vero cell culture, with a reduction of cytopathic effect when applied at concentrations within the established therapeutic concentrations.
Question: are there any drugs that work for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 in animals?
Evidence: There is no therapeutic FDA-approved drug against SARS-CoV-2 infection, although a combination of anti-viral drugs is directly being practiced in some countries. 
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: spread is uncommon so social distancing still make sense
Question: has social distancing had an impact on slowing the spread of COVID-19?
Evidence: we do not find significant evidence that social distancing has resulted in a reduction in the number of daily confirmed cases. Instead, social distancing has merely stabilized the spread of the disease.
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Covid-19 infections leave an impact on the heart, raising concerns about lasting damage
Question: are heart complications likely in patients with COVID-19?
Evidence:  consistent reports of cardiac injury and de novo cardiac complications, including possible myocarditis, arrhythmia, and heart failure in patients without prior cardiovascular disease or significant risk factors, are emerging
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Inflammatory disorders like Covid-19 tend to be very catabolic, meaning that as your immune system revs up to fight the infection, your metabolism increases as well.
Question: Are you immune to COVID-19 after recovering from it?
Evidence: Recently, an increasing number of reports have indicated that a few patients who were believed to have recovered from COVID-19 initially tested negative but later tested positive.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: taking ibuprofen is not safe for covid-19 patients since ibuprofen could increase the expression of an enzyme that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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: Supports
Claim: Covid-19 infections leave an impact on the heart, raising concerns about lasting damage
Question: are heart complications likely in patients with COVID-19?
Evidence: The cardiovascular system is also affected, with complications including myocardial injury, myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, dysrhythmias, and venous thromboembolic events. Current therapies for COVID-19 may interact with cardiovascular medications.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, having a strong immune system to stave off infection from the new coronavirus can only be an advantage. 
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: The WHO says there is no reason to believe cold weather can kill the new coronavirus, or other diseases, for that matter.
Question: how does the coronavirus respond to changes in the weather
Evidence: the temperature changes retarded the growth rate and found that -6.28{degrees}C and +14.51{degrees}C temperature is the favorable range for COVID-19 growth
Verdict: Supports
Claim: Vitamins C, D can help prevent coronavirus
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: Refutes
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: 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 you are immunocompromised, the best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
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: Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
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: Common Steroid Could Be Cheap and Effective Treatment for Severe COVID-19.
Question: Is dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19?
Evidence: We designed a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of early intravenous dexamethasone administration on the number of days alive and free of mechanical ventilation within 28 days after randomization in adult patients with moderate or severe ARDS due to confirmed or probable COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: nicotine could limit COVID-19 infection
Question: Can smoking help in preventing COVID-19?
Evidence: Statistical surveys of COVID-19 patients indicate, against all common logic, that people who smoke are less prone to the infection and/or exhibit less severe respiratory symptoms than non-smokers.
Verdict: Supports
Claim: A day-by-day breakdown of coronavirus symptoms shows how COVID-19 goes from bad to worse.
Question: what are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
Evidence: Anosmia and ageusia have recently been hinted as significant early symptoms in COVID-19.
Verdict: Neutral
Claim: Fever is the first symptom of covid-19
Question: Which are the first symptoms of the coronavirus disease?
Evidence: A case of COVID-19 patient with the diarrhea as initial symptom
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: Similarly, not all critically ill patients in hospital will be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), because the chances of meaningful survival for some will be viewed as too low
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: Refutes
Claim: Because the virus can be spread easily, many have resorted wearing face masks to protect themselves, as the virus is transmissible through human contact and exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person.
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: In patients with both COVID-19 and cancer, immunotherapy might increase the immune system response, which could already be overactive because of the COVID-19 infection.
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: Dogs may be able to spread coronavirus to humans despite showing no symptoms
Question: Can animals spread COVID-19 to people?
Evidence: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now a pandemic threat. This virus is supposed to be spread by human to human transmission. 
Verdict: Refutes
Claim: smokers are at greater risk of complications from COVID-19 than non-smokers. 
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: Supports
Claim: During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, The Weather Channel is providing this data as a service to our users.
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: Neutral