Coronavirus fact check: the truth behind the rumors

adminonDecember 17, 2021February 19, 2022Leave a Comment

conspiracy theories around the Corona pandemic have almost become the "second virus. With the help of social networks, the crude ideas of groups like the so-called "Lateral thinkers" or celebrities like Michael Wendler at least similar fast. False allegations fall on fertile ground in the Corona crisis, which is already unsettling many people.

Sometimes friends and acquaintances also spread Conspiracy narratives. And perhaps, with today's flood of information, one is not quite sure oneself for once. This overview clears up the conspiracy theories – and explains how best to counter such narratives.

How best to argue against lateral thinking theories?

Often one is first of all perplexed, if a person, who is close to one expresses crude conspiracy narrations. Nevertheless, one should react as calmly and factually as possible – and rather that personal conversation with the counterpart than, for example, to respond to the remarks in a chat group.

The conspiracy myth can then be debunked in conversation. The main focus should be on better explaining the circumstance that the fake theory explains. Thereby it is usually simpler to Main argument To concentrate than to sprawl. To communicate as clearly as possible, it can help not to repeat the conspiracy theory in the first place, or to clearly label it as such when speaking of it.

Experts also advise to openly ask the person spreading the myths about his or her Sources and evidence to ask for it. For example, one can point out the connection of information or the seriousness of a medium.

But what counter explanations are there for the most common conspiracy narratives? We have collected a few.

Conspiracy theory: Does wearing masks harm your health??

myth: For months, Corona deniers have been spreading rumors that alleged cases of illness and death would be related to wearing a mask.

Fact: These cases are mostly contrived. Correct wearing of a mouth-nose protection does not pose any danger to humans, according to German as well as international health organizations. There is still no evidence for the amption that masks could prevent sufficient oxygen from being available when breathing.

However, according to experts, disposable masks that have become frayed and fuzzed due to repeated wearing can, under certain circumstances, lead to health problems such as irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, it should really be worn only once.

Is the corona virus a bioweapon that originated in a laboratory??

Myth: There is constant speculation on the web that the virus came from either a lab in Wuhan or the U.S. After the first Corona case in the U.S. in January 2020, fake documents are making the rounds on social networks that suggested experts had grown the virus themselves. With the help of the coronavirus, secret societies would now have actively created a crisis to establish an authoritarian world order.

Fact: The Wuhan Virology Institute, China's only official biosafety level 4 laboratory to date, opened in Wuhan in 2015. It is thus a high-security institution. Experts, however, firmly believe that the corona virus originated in the wild animal market in Wuhan. A World Health Organization (WHO) report also suggested that. The idea of a "New World Order" is again a popular conspiracy theory that has had many adherents in the far-right milieu since the 1990s.

Did more people actually die in Germany in 2020 than usual?

Myth: In addition to the assertion that the coronavirus is much more harmless than scientists have publicly claimed, there is also the theory that the pandemic has not claimed as many lives as expected.

Fact: Data from the Federal Statistical Office shows that in the first three months of last year, the number of deaths did not rise sharply. In April 2020, however, the figures were then significantly above the average of previous years, namely ten percent higher. In the months that followed, there were no major deviations from the average.

At the end of the year, however, the number of victims rose significantly: for example, the number of deaths in Germany in the week of 7. Until 13. December 2020 well above average for previous years. In the 50. Calendar week, preliminary results indicate that at least 22 died.897 people, which is 23 percent more than usual. Something similar could be observed at the beginning of 2021.

The so-called excess mortality is an indicator of the severity of an infectious event. It refers to the number of deaths that are above a historical average.

Would have died many Corona dead soon anyway?

Myth: Corona deniers claim that many deaths from the pandemic would have died soon "anyway" from another ailment. Covid-19, the disease triggered by the coronavirus, is therefore not the cause of death – and the fervent warnings against infection are scaremongering.

Fact: Back in May, a data search by NDR showed that the Corona dead would have had an average of nine years to live; there are comparable studies on this as well. In addition, a study by the National Association of German Pathologists found that in 86 percent of deaths diagnosed with Covid-19, this was also the cause of death.

If the genes of humans are manipulated by an mRNA vaccine?

Myth: Some of the Corona vaccines are so-called mRNA vaccines, for which there has never before been an allowance in humans. False information has been spreading on the Internet since it became known that these vaccines would lead to changes in the genetic code of the vaccinated persons.Fact: According to current knowledge, the mRNA vaccines cannot penetrate and alter the genome of human body cells. In an mRNA vaccine, a messenger ribonucleic acid containing the genetic code for a protein is administered to the patient. The novel vaccines contain only selected parts of the genetic material of a virus that cause an immune response in the body after vaccination. This is how immune protection is built. However, the mRNA from the vaccine cannot simply be "incorporated" into a person's DNA, because it is located in the cell nucleus.

Conspiracy theory: Is Bill Gates behind the vaccine??

Myth: Since the beginning of the pandemic, one myth has been particularly persistent in conspiracy circles: the multi-billionaire and Microsoft founder Bill Gates is planning to insert a microchip under the skin at the same time as each Corona vaccination, with which people will be monitored.

Fact: In fact, Gates wrote in a blog post in the spring that everyone might eventually have a "digital certificate" attesting that they had been vaccinated or otherwise immunized. However, there was never any talk of microchips. His statement was put into a wrong context – most likely with the project of the Gates Foundation, in which research is done on contraception methods via microchips.

Will vaccination become compulsory in Germany in the long run??

Myth: Sooner or later, citizens will be forced to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.Fact: The federal government has repeatedly emphasized that vaccination against the coronavirus is voluntary. However, a strong vaccination recommendation would be made to protect not only themselves but the community.

However, there are discussions about requiring certain professions to be vaccinated, such as soldiers or police officers. World Medical Association President Frank-Ulrich Montgomery, for example, has advocated mandatory vaccination for certain professional groups: "Anyone who deals with vulnerable groups needs to be immunized," the World Medical Association president told this news outlet. "For nurses and medical staff, an occupation-specific vaccination requirement against Corona makes sense," Montgomery said.

The Flu season is just around the corner, as every year. And as every year, medical experts stress the importance of immunization against the Influenza virus. What often went unheard in the past, however, is getting a lot of attention this fall. Because the flu virus is joined this fall by a new virus: Sars-CoV-2.

Corona and flu, this could be an ominous encounter. Both for the health care system and for the health of the individual. Alone, if every adult German were to be immunized against seasonal influenza, the available Vaccine doses insufficient. So what to do? Who should really get vaccinated? Answers to the most important questions.

Because of Corona pandemic flu vaccination is especially important

In fact, the flu shot is not only recommended to certain groups of people this year. Experts have long criticized the fact that many people do not receive this Recommendation not take seriously enough. For example, in the 2016/2017 influenza season, only just under 35 percent of people from 60 years vaccinate. A vaccination rate of 75 percent is recommended for older people in order to achieve a Herd immunity to reach.

This year, however, influenza vaccination has a special role to play. Because it plays an important role in the Corona pandemic. While it does not protect against infection with the Coronavirus. But it could help relieve prere on health care system if few people contract seasonal influenza.

RKI gives vaccination recommendations

The Standing Commission on Vaccination Stiko, which was established on RKI has drawn up recommendations on who should be vaccinated against the flu because of the risk of severe influenza. These are, for example, people aged 60 and over, expectant Mothers from the 14. week of pregnancy, people with certain chronic Diseases such as diabetes, heart or circulatory diseases or multiple sclerosis.

In addition, the Stiko recommends immunization of residents of Nursing homes and people who are at increased occupational risk, such as medical personnel.

The commission has not changed these recommendations even in light of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement ied in early August, it said, "As the epidemiology of both diseases shows very clear parallels in terms of risk groups for severe disease progression, the Stiko is convinced that for the upcoming 2020/21 influenza season, a high vaccination rate in the Risk groups must be achieved in order to relieve the burden on the health care system in addition to individual protection."

On the one hand, this will reduce the background noise from additional flu patients in this pandemic. And, "If we vaccinate the younger ones, we also protect the older ones because they don't pass on the flu viruses to."Salzberger, unlike the Stiko, also recommends flu vaccination for older children and young adults. "By the way, not only this year, but in principle."

Enough vaccine for all is not yet available

According to the for vaccines responsible Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), 20 million vaccine doses are available this year. At the end of September, the Federal Ministry of Health to order additional six million doses.

Although this is significantly more vaccine doses than were needed in previous years, according to Stiko, 40 million doses are needed just to implement the existing recommendations. It fears with an extension of the vaccination recommendations to the entire Population a Undersupply Of the at-risk groups.

Background: The five biggest concerns about vaccination – are they justified?

However, these figures would presuppose that really everyone is vaccinated against the Flu would like to be vaccinated. That is in the Reality Not the case, according to a representative Forsa-Survey of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists from August may believe. According to the report, 45 percent of high-risk patients do not plan to get a flu shot this year. Among all adult German citizens, only 38 percent want to be immunized, according to the survey.

"Nobody knows how many people will get vaccinated this season," says infectiologist Salzberger, who therefore recommends that people in at-risk groups start early with their Physician Talking about getting vaccinated.

"If there are currently here and there Supply bottlenecks comes, I advise to check again in a few weeks at the doctor or in the Pharmacy to inquire," says Ursula Sellerberg, deputy spokeswoman for the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists. Vaccination in the course of the next few weeks would also build up vaccination protection in time.

Vaccination: these health insurers cover the costs

Many, but by no means all Health insurers ame the cost of flu vaccination for all their insured patients. The major health insurers TK, AOK, DAK and Barmer, for example, cover the costs. Some others only pay for insureds who fall under the Stiko recommendations. Even some Employers offer their employees free immunization.

Medical experts from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies examined the effect of the financial and economic crisis on the healthcare systems of European countries. According to the report, certain developments, such as a lower risk of accidents due to a decline in traffic, can be attributed to the economic downturn itself. However, the key factor in determining how the crisis affects a country's health care is how the state responds. Only the combination of economic shock, austerity policy and dismantling of the social security systems led to the deterioration that can now be observed.

In many member states, either services have been cancelled or the fees for medical care have been increased in recent years. As a result, the long-term decline in suicides since 2007 has reversed. The demonstrable spread of infectious diseases in countries particularly affected by spending cuts and rising unemployment, such as Greece, Spain and Portugal, is also dramatic.

In Greece, for example, the number of HIV infections rose sharply, mainly because drug prevention was cut back. For the first time, he said, there have even been cases of malaria. In addition, hospital costs have been cut by 15 percent in the last two years, which has meant, among other things, the elimination of thousands of hospital beds. The situation is particularly dramatic because access to adequate medical treatment is noticeably hampered by limited financial resources. There is a threat of a two-class medical society.

Yet things could be different: The fact that the exceptional country of Iceland has done much better than the eurozone countries in coping with the financial crisis (here) is also reflected in the health care system, the study says. Citizens of the Nordic island nation twice refused to approve IMF austerity policies in referendums. Instead, continued investment in the health care system and social security for citizens. The researchers point out that no or very little health effects of the financial crisis have been found. Although the financial crisis was the worst in Iceland's history in terms of size relative to GDP, neither the suicide rate nor the number of cases of illness due to substance abuse increased.

The EU Commission, whose legal duty it would actually be to monitor the effects of EU policies, the authors accuse of simply looking the other way. Instead, they would even be eager to make proposals to national health ministries for further budget cuts. The behavior of the Commission and individual EU states resembles the cover-up tactics of the tobacco industry, say health experts.