Claim: Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines provide greater protection against the Omicron variant.

Most COVID-19 vaccines have proven less effective against neutralizing the Omicron variant,, but they still prevent severe illness and death. Third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines also provide significantly increased protection against the variant.

Mostly True

The Latest

  • Claim: Critical Race Theory is being taught in our public schools to indoctrinate students on anti-American rhetoric and make students feel guilty about being white or having privilege.

    Critical Race Theory (CRT) has become a prominent political issue at the local, state, and national levels. Parent groups have arisen to voice opposition over their children learning what they believe to be CRT in schools. Politicians have begun wielding CRT as a political tool to accuse public schools of teaching children anti-American values and racism.

    False
  • A picture of an outdoor COVID-19 testing center with a woman in a red hijab swabbing a patient's nose.

    Claim: The COVID-19 Omicron variant is more deadly and easily transmittable than previous variants. Nasal swab tests are not able to detect it and make the virus harder to trace.

    As of December 5, 2021, there is no credible information on the increased severity of the Omicron variant. Researchers and the World Health Organization (WHO) are conducting further testing to better understand the variant.

    Mostly False

  • Claim: Ayurvedic medicine and practices can help prevent sickness and remove all “blockages” in the body. Furthermore, they have helped cure some of the biggest illnesses.

    Both breathing techniques and yoga can positively impact both physical and mental health. However, no credible information supports the claim that they can remove all blockages or cure illnesses.

    Half and Half

  • Claim: The Omicron variant was created by Politicians to influence Midterm elections and push for further use of mail-in-ballots.

    All viruses naturally evolve over time, developing into new strains, or “variants,” which are then labeled depending on the number of mutations it has and scientists’ predictions on its behavior.

    False

  • Claim: Refugees and asylum seekers are cheating the immigration system by skipping the line and using asylum loopholes to enter America

    Contrary to common misconceptions about asylum being a way to circumvent “legal” immigration policies through visas and other statuses, asylum seekers follow an extensive legal application process to enter the United States.

    False

  • Claim: Black communities are inherently more violent than other communities, which is why they have higher rates of crime.

    Crime rates in Black communities are essentially similar to those in white communities. Still, media bias and representation and historically racist policies affect our perceptions of crime in Black communities today.

    False

  • Claim: Vaccinating your 5 to 11 year old is a safe and effective method to protect them from COVID-19

    The CDC recently approved Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age, and doctors recommend immunizations for this age group. Swift and widespread vaccination of as many Americans as possible is our best chance of returning to life as we knew it before the pandemic.

    True

  • Claim: Democrats are spending too much on programs that are unpopular among the American people.

    Nationally, Democrats have been governing us through the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2021. Since then, they have passed significant legislation, widely popular among Americans, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, and soon, President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, which is paid for and will minimally add to the annual budget deficit.

    Mostly False

  • Claim: COVID-19 can be treated with home remedies like black pepper powder, honey, turmeric, and ginger juice.

    To date, there has been no verifiable evidence that any of these home remedies can serve as a treatment or cure for COVID-19.

    False

  • Claim: Terrorists are entering the United States through Afghan refugee resettlement programs.

    There is no evidence of terrorists entering the United States through refugee resettlement programs. All refugees entering the United States undergo intensive vetting.

    False