The RootsToSky.com/Covid Misinformation Files

Health minister says wave ‘far from over’ as vaccination rate flatlines and clinics report rising numbers of Covid-19 patients

The US, UK, and Canada have high rates of people unwilling to mask up or get a shot, perhaps because they don't believe COVID-19 will kill them. More 'collective' thinking helps in other countries.

Indigenous physicians say it's key to recognize the history of colonialism and trauma that's behind vaccine mistrust in some First Nations communities to boost COVID-19 vaccine rates.

A Reddit channel called r/HermanCainAward is filled with stories of people who mocked Covid-19 vaccines before eventually dying from the disease.

In mid-February 2020, during the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak in China, Liu Lihong, a slight man with a wispy beard, made his way into Hankou Hospital

"Another example of Big Pharma reaping billions from public investment into research by charging extortionate, rip-off prices for lifesaving Covid drugs."

Researchers and regulators say Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician, creates and profits from misleading claims about Covid-19 vaccines.

At least three promising antivirals that could prevent symptoms and limit transmission of Covid-19 are in clinical trials.

If hopelessness is learned, then it can be unlearned: how groundbreaking studies paved the way to help cultivate hope

Cases of COVID-19 are rising fast. Vaccine uptake has plateaued. The pandemic will be over one day—but the way there is different now.

Underneath a patina of satire, J.P. Sears is a New Age charlatan.

Introduction Rumors and conspiracy theories, can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Monitoring online data related to COVID-19 vaccine candidates can track vaccine misinformation in real-time and assist in negating its impact. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccine rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, understand their context, and then review interventions to manage this misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance. Method In June 2020, a multi-disciplinary team was formed to review and collect online rumors and conspiracy theories between 31 December 2019–30 November 2020. Sources included Google, Google Fact Check, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, fact-checking agency websites, and television and newspaper websites. Quantitative data were extracted, entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed descriptively using the statistical package R version 4.0.3. We conducted a content analysis of the qualitative information from news articles, online reports and blogs and compared with findings from quantitative data. Based on the fact-checking agency ratings, information was categorized as true, false, misleading, or exaggerated. Results We identified 637 COVID-19 vaccine-related items: 91% were rumors and 9% were conspiracy theories from 52 countries. Of the 578 rumors, 36% were related to vaccine development, availability, and access, 20% related to morbidity and mortality, 8% to safety, efficacy, and acceptance, and the rest were other categories. Of the 637 items, 5% (30/) were true, 83% (528/637) were false, 10% (66/637) were misleading, and 2% (13/637) were exaggerated. Conclusions Rumors and conspiracy theories may lead to mistrust contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Tracking COVID-19 vaccine misinformation in real-time and engaging with social media to disseminate correct information could help safeguard the public against misinformation.

The Conspirituality Report Oppression Fantasies of White Anti-Vax Moms Sibbio and Standfield co-opt First Nations genocide, Holocaust Susan Standfield and Stephanie Sibbio are co-founders of 100 …

The human brain, in all its complexity, is nearly impossible to model. One neuroscientist is trying anyway

BILL Gates’ divorce from his wife Melinda has sent anti-vaxxers, QAnon believers and a host of other conspiracy theorists into overdrive. Microsoft boss Gates and his wife have become a light…

Five ways to become more accepting of pain.

The Act-Accelerator helped to create momentum to fund vital COVID-19 testing, treatments, and vaccines. However, the effort is falling short of meeting its goals.

Mental health is often framed in individual terms with individual solutions – but rising levels of depression, anxiety and stress across society make it clear that we need political answers.

Is there any way to break free? We set out for answers, guided by a Japanese novel, a mastermind of self care, and the one and only Esther Perel.

For a year, researchers have been studying and arguing over vitamin D's potential for helping protect against or treat COVID-19. The evidence is still not conclusive.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccines’ safety have led to hesitancy for some Americans. Experts say there is almost zero cause for concern.

An overwhelming demand for professional counseling has spawned slickly marketed companies promising a service they cannot possibly provide.