Millions of individuals, together with the president of the United States, have seen or shared a video by which a physician falsely claims there may be a treatment for the coronavirus, and it’s a medley starring hydroxychloroquine.
The video exhibits a number of medical doctors in white coats giving a press convention outdoors the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. It persists on social media despite bans from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and it was revealed by Breitbart, a conservative information website.
The July 27 occasion was organized by Tea Party Patriots, a conservative group backed by Republican donors, and attended by U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C.
In the video, members of a new group known as America’s Frontline Doctors touch on a number of unproven conspiracy theories concerning the coronavirus pandemic. One of probably the most inaccurate claims comes from Dr. Stella Immanuel, a Houston major care doctor and minister with a track record of constructing weird medical claims, corresponding to that DNA from space aliens is being utilized in medical therapies.
“This virus has a cure. It is called hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax,” Immanuel stated. “I know you people want to talk about a mask. Hello? You don’t need [a] mask. There is a cure.”
As of July 27, practically 150,000 Americans had died due to the coronavirus. Could these deaths have been prevented by a drug that’s used to deal with lupus and arthritis?
No. Immanuel’s assertion is mistaken on a number of factors.
‘This Virus Has a Cure’
There isn’t any recognized treatment for COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there isn’t a particular antiviral remedy for the virus. Supportive care, corresponding to relaxation, fluids and fever relievers, can assuage signs.
“There is currently no licensed medication to cure COVID-19,” according to the World Health Organization.
The Cure Is ‘Hydroxychloroquine, Zinc and Zithromax’
In spite of Immanuel’s anecdotal proof, hydroxychloroquine alone or together with different medicine will not be a confirmed remedy (or treatment) for COVID-19.
The Food and Drug Administration has not authorised hydroxychloroquine for the prevention or remedy of COVID-19. In mid-June, the FDA revoked its emergency authorization for the usage of hydroxychloroquine and the associated drug chloroquine in treating hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers.
“It is no longer reasonable to believe that oral formulations of HCQ and CQ may be effective in treating COVID-19, nor is it reasonable to believe that the known and potential benefits of these products outweigh their known and potential risks,” FDA Chief Scientist Denise M. Hinton wrote.
The WHO and the National Institutes of Health have additionally stopped their hydroxychloroquine research. Among the protection points related to treating COVID-19 sufferers with hydroxychloroquine include coronary heart rhythm issues, kidney accidents and liver issues.
While some research have discovered that the drug might assist alleviate signs related to COVID-19, the research is not conclusive. Few studies have been accepted into peer-reviewed journals. And giant, randomized trials — the gold commonplace for medical trials — are nonetheless wanted to verify the findings of research carried out because the pandemic started.
In the video, Immanuel cited a 2005 study that discovered chloroquine — not hydroxychloroquine — was “effective in inhibiting the infection and spread of SARS CoV,” the official title for extreme acute respiratory syndrome. But the drug was not examined on people, the authors wrote that extra analysis was wanted to make any conclusions, and SARS is totally different from COVID-19.
‘You Don’t Need a Mask’
Health officers advise everybody to put on a masks in public.
The purpose has to do with how the coronavirus spreads. When an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes, they expel respiratory droplets containing the virus. Those droplets can then land within the mouths or noses of individuals close by.
Since some individuals contaminated with the coronavirus might exhibit no signs, public well being officers say everybody ought to cowl their face in public — even when they don’t really feel sick.
“The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces,” according to the CDC.
Our Ruling
In a viral video, Immanuel stated there may be a treatment for COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine can deal with it, and other people don’t have to put on masks to stop the unfold of the virus.
All of these claims are inaccurate. There isn’t any recognized treatment for COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine will not be a confirmed remedy, and public well being officers advise everybody to put on a face masks in public.
Immanuel’s assertion is False.