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Antivaccine nonsense Bad science Clinical trials Medicine Pseudoscience Quackery Skepticism/critical thinking

Ivermectin is the new hydroxychloroquine, take 6: More fraud?

Ivermectin has been hyped without good evidence as a highly effective treatment for COVID-19. One major “positive” ivermectin study was shown to be likely fraudulent. Now others are looking dicey.

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Antivaccine nonsense Medicine Politics Popular culture Religion

Why is the Church of Scientology helping antivaxers in a last ditch attempt to block passage of SB 276?

California SB 276, a bill to clamp down on bogus medical exemptions to school vaccine mandates, is nearing the finish line and looks likely to be passed into law soon. Why are Scientologists helping antivaxers in a last ditch effort to block its passage?

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Antivaccine nonsense Medicine News of the Weird Quackery Skepticism/critical thinking

Fake vaccinations and a suicide note by Dr. Van Koinis

Chicago pediatrician Dr. Van Koinis committed suicide. This week, it was reported that in his suicide note he expressed regret over falsifying vaccinations. Did he actually fake vaccinating patients? Whatever the truth, Cook County health officials now have a huge mess on their hands.

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Bad science Computers and social media Medicine Science Skepticism/critical thinking

The Great Barrington Declaration: COVID-19, “magnified minority,” and eugenics

Apparently signed by thousands of scientists, the Great Barrington Declaration argues that lockdowns in response to the coronavirus pandemic do more harm than good and that society should use “Focused Protection” for the elderly and those at high risk for severe disease and death from COVID-19 while letting the young go about their business normally. A closer look reveals that COVID-19 deniers are taking a page from a very old denialist propaganda playbook.

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Antivaccine nonsense Bad science Medicine Politics Religion Skepticism/critical thinking

Harmful messages from authority about the J&J COVID-19 vaccine

A week ago, the FDA approved the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Unfortunately, messaging by political and religious authorities has ranged from mixed to downright unhelpful.