Snopes Daily Debunker - Nobel Laureate Decries COVID-19 Misinfo Spread in His Name

Nobel Laureate Decries COVID-19 Misinfo Spread in His Name Although researchers have yet to arrive at a conclusive answer for how the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic originated, experts say there is little reason to suppose it was “man-made,” as a few outlying theories propose. Conspiracy theorists have even speculated that the virus was engineered as a “bioweapon” meant to destroy or disrupt entire populations. As so often happens when speculation outpaces the facts, some of the supporting “evidence” for this theory has proven to be fabricated. Dan Evon reports on the case of Tasuku Honjo, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who allegedly tweeted that the coronavirus was, in fact, “man-made.” Honjo says he is the victim of “false accusations and misinformation.” Read more

 

Fact Checks Did Trump Tweet That Reporters Should Return ‘Noble’ Prizes? Journalism may be a noble profession, but reporters aren't awarded "noble prizes." True   Did an Irish Times Column Express ‘Pity’ for the US? A scathing opinion column was copied and pasted then circulated online, prompting some to question its authenticity. Correct attribution   Did CNN Remove ‘Larry King Live’ Episode Featuring Tara Reade’s Mother from Google Play? How many assumptions can one draw from a single screenshot? False   Does an 1866 Court Case Bar States from Enforcing Social-Distancing Regulations? States may in fact use police powers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons within their borders. False   Did Elisa Granato Die from COVID-19 Trial Vaccination? The scientist was one of the first people in the U.K. to be administered a trial vaccine for the coronavirus disease. False   Did Mitt Romney Endorse Joe Biden? A routine review of content labeled satire. Labeled satire

 

We’ll Take Fact-Checking for $200, Alex. Yesterday, “Jeopardy!” paid tribute to our fact checks with a category called “Snopes Says Nope.” Read the fact checks

 

In the News Court: Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Unlawful A federal appeals court panel has ruled that a Kansas law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is unconstitutional, upholding a judge’s injunction that had banned its use. Read more   Groups Sow Doubt About COVID Vaccine Before One Even Exists Groups that peddle misinformation about immunizations are already taking aim at a future coronavirus vaccine, potentially eroding confidence in what could be humanity’s best chance to defeat the virus. Read more   Irrfan Khan, of ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ‘Life of Pi,’ Dies The veteran character Bollywood actor and one of India's best-known exports to Hollywood was 54. Read more   Rep. Amash Exploring 2020 Run for Libertarian Presidential Nomination Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan left the Republican Party in July 2019, saying he had become disenchanted with partisan politics and “frightened by what I see from it.” Read more   Pence Comes Under Fire for Going Maskless at Mayo Clinic The Mayo Clinic tweeted that it had informed the vice president of its mask policy prior to his arrival. The tweet was later removed. Read more

 

Staff Pick Giant Human Skeletons! According to the Old Testament, the Nephilim were the offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" before the Deluge. Are these their remains? Read more

 

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