Snope.com - Anti-mask groups flourish on Facebook, a digitally altered gas pump photo, COVID-19 vaccines and infertility, and a "Halloween" prank leads to an arrest

​ MONDAY EDITION Snopes Debunker 20 September 2021 Tonight: Anti-mask groups flourish on Facebook, a digitally altered gas pump photo, COVID-19 vaccines and infertility, and a "Halloween" prank leads to an arrest ​ Facebook Allows Promotion of ‘Fake Masks’ for Children in Schools In March 2021, anti-mask and anti-vaccine sentiments emerged inside Let Them Breathe, a private Facebook group that describes itself as “pro-science.” An open forum for misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic now thrives among its members.  Facebook has allowed people who potentially lean toward anti-mask and anti-vaccine sentiments to come into contact with others who agree with them inside groups, further entrenching them in anti-science values. Jordan Liles reports. Read More URGENT: Save Our Snopes Dear Debunker readers, Four years ago, we launched a GoFundMe campaign to fight off legal threats, SLAPP lawsuits, and a takeover attempt by hostile shareholders. Many of you stood up and helped, and we cannot tell you how much we appreciate it. We thought we’d have good news to share with you by now, but that is unfortunately not the case. Although every major court ruling has been in our favor so far, the point of these lawsuits has been — always — to bleed Snopes dry. Now, on the verge of trial, the years of constant legal battles have your favorite fact-checkers in need of rescue. That’s why we’re launching one more campaign to Save Our Snopes. Will you help us? Contribute Fact Checks and Original Reporting Viral Gas Pump Photo with Biden Sticker Was Digitally Altered A nonpolitical moment was made both political and misleading with the use of digital editing software. Read Story. Do COVID-19 Vaccines Make You Infertile? Here are the facts behind claims of impotency, placenta issues, and swollen testicles. Read Story. Texas Lawyer Arrested for Michael Myers ‘Halloween’ Prank The prank didn't make everyone laugh. Read Story. View Latest Fact Checks Entertainment Rumors, legends, and lore about Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and its many stars. Read More News UK’s Princess Beatrice Gives Birth to Daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have had a baby daughter. Read More Chris Rock Says He Has COVID-19, Urges Vaccination Chris Rock said he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and sent a message to anyone still on the fence: “Get vaccinated.” Read More US Easing Foreign Travel Restrictions; Vaccinations Required The changes will allow families and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to plan for long-awaited reunifications. Read More

View Latest News Staff Pick ​ Did ‘ALF’ Predict a Global Pandemic Would Occur in 2020? The Alien Life Form known as Gordon Shumway is not a prognosticator. Read More