Updated COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out in the U.S., aimed at targeting the latest, prevalent variants of the disease. Here we answer common questions about the latest vaccines.
Q&A on the Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
Posts Misrepresent Use of Floodgates at Southern Border
To avoid damage from heavy rains, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have opened floodgates along Arizona’s border fencing during monsoon season since 2009. But social media users, including Sen. Ted Cruz, shared posts with the misleading claim that the Biden administration opened the gates “by design” to allow illegal immigration.
FactChecking McCarthy’s Impeachment Inquiry Claims
Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced on Sept. 12 that he would direct the House to open a formal impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. We review specific allegations that McCarthy made and where those allegations fall short of the evidence so far.
Biden Wrongly Claims to Have Visited New York City a Day After 9/11
Speaking at a military base in Alaska on the anniversary of 9/11, President Joe Biden wrongly said that he visited ground zero in New York City the day after the attack. Biden first visited the site nine days after terrorists flew planes into the twin towers at the World Trade Center.
Trump Walked Back Abortion Statement Misleadingly Used in Biden-Harris Ad
As a presidential candidate seven years ago, Donald Trump said women needed to face “some form” of punishment for violating abortion bans — a position he quickly retracted after being criticized. But the former president’s original remark about punishing women is misleadingly featured in an ad from the campaign to reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Video Falsely Claims 850 People Died of Myocarditis in Mexico
Cases of myocarditis have been reported following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, but they are rare and usually mild. Yet, a viral video distorts news reports to falsely claim 850 people died in Monterrey, Mexico, in June due to myocarditis. The figure comes from a false report of heat-related deaths.
The Problem with Greene’s Warning About ‘Communist Takeover’ of Judicial System
Responding to news that the former national leader of the Proud Boys was sentenced to 22 years for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene commented: “We are witnessing a communist takeover of our judicial system to target political enemies.” But Enrique Tarrio was found guilty by a jury, and the judge who sentenced him was appointed by former President Donald Trump.
Ramaswamy’s Flawed College Fitness Idea
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy this week proposed that a physical fitness test be added to the college admissions process as a “simple way” for colleges to diversify. “It’s a fact that those who perform well on math & reading tests tend to perform more poorly on the 1-mile run, and vice versa,” he said. That’s not a fact. In fact, numerous studies show just the opposite.
Video Clip Misrepresents Biden’s Meeting with Israeli President
President Joe Biden met with the Israeli president in July at the White House. A clip from that meeting is circulating online with the false suggestion that Biden was “falling asleep” during the meeting. The full video shows Biden was consulting notecards and wasn’t asleep.
TV Ad Twists Facts to Fit Narrative in Attack on Beshear in Kentucky Governor’s Race
A TV ad attacks Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic to release more than 1,800 prisoners convicted of non-violent or non-sexual felonies. But the details of the case featured in the ad don’t fit the ad’s narrative.