Remember hydroxychloroquine? Yes, there were anecdotes and observational studies, but, no, it flunked the gold standard for evidence, randomized controlled trials. Ditto with ivermectin.
Now the man named “the most influential spreader of coronavirus misinformation online” is promoting another candidate for magic bullet: vitamin D.
It’s long been held that the more general immune-enhancing characteristics of the century-old bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine might convey protection against diseases other than TB. Why not Covid-19?
There’s so much COVID-19 misinformation out there, it’s easy to become desensitized to it. But, a recently passed Missouri law (the Gag Rule) takes misinformation to a new height (low?) and may shock even the most cynical among us.
COVID-19Lisa Mankofsky, Esq., Matthew Simon, Esq., Peter Lurie, MD, MPH
To the extent that misinformation has led some to shun proven COVID-19 prevention measures, the two plagues have been in a kind of mutually reinforcing tango since the pandemic’s earliest days.
While articles that present misinformation are uncommon, they have the capacity to reach large numbers of readers and affect the vaccine conversation, according to the study.
The FDA has the authority to review medical devices, including lab-developed tests. However, to date FDA has not used this authority to regulate LDTs, allowing the devices to flow freely onto the market without premarket approval.
Without considerable improvements, legislation advanced in draft form will not adequately protect consumers because inaccurate test kits may either fail to diagnose a dangerous disease or generate a false-positive test result resulting in unnecessary treatment.
The Senate demurred on providing any aid to help poorer countries vaccinate their citizens, in effect turning our backs on people who need COVID-19 aid the most. It’s a terrible idea that is likely to backfire on our own country.
