MISINFORMATION and how to identify it!

 

MISINFORMATION and how to identify it!

This article contains misinformation and mis-leading information: https://www.theepochtimes.com/researchers-call-for-halt-on-covid-19-vaccines-for-pregnant-women-after-re-analysis-of-cdc-study_4081606.html The article quotes two scientists who are concerned that the COVID-19 vaccine should not be recommended to pregnant women. They make some pretty big assertions about the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women after COVID- 19 vaccination. Here is a quote from the article: " spontaneous abortions occurred in 81.9 percent to 91.2 percent of the women who were vaccinated before 20 weeks of gestation." That's a massive assertion. Huge. In my little practise in the last 6 months, among vaccinated pregnant women, there was one miscarriage and 10 who are now 20 or more weeks gestation. The risk of miscarriage in woman before COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines existed was 25 %. In the last 6 months these women appear to be beating the odds. None of my colleagues have seen a rate of 80 to 90 %, Clues that might suggest mis-information: 1/ If what you are reading seems way off and extreme and makes you feel terrified it is probably mis-information. 2/ When judging whether or not an article contains mis-information, look at the journal/ newspaper it is published in. The Epoch times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the Falun Gong new religious movement. Since 2016, the Falun Gong-backed newspaper has used aggressive Facebook tactics and right-wing misinformation to create an anti-China, pro-Trump media empire. One of it's focuses now is to spread mis-information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. 3/ Next, look up the experts that are quoted in the article. One is Dr. Simon Thornley, a senior lecturer in the University of Auckland’s Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, New Zealand. He has been discredited by his scientific community for his anti-vax, anti-public health restriction stance. If an expert has been discredited, turn the page. Look up the expert being quoted and make sure their reputation is sound. 4/ Now go to a reputable journal that reviews the same information. In this case, we are being led to believe that pregnant women who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have an 80- 90% chance of having a miscarriage. Now google, " What are the chances of having a miscarriage after a COVID-19 vaccine?' There is one link that pops up right away from the New England Journal of Medicine: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2114466 The New England Journal of Medicine is arguably one of the most respected scientific journals in the world. Only top notch research and peer reviewed research gets published there. And there conclusions: "Our study found no evidence of an increased risk for early pregnancy loss after Covid-19 vaccination and adds to the findings from other reports supporting Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy." It's distressing, isn't it? The spread of misinformation that terrifies pregnant women and keeps them from getting a life saving vaccine. One article in a questionable newspaper makes you believe something totally different than the truth we get from science. And remember, science is not the truth, science uncovers the truth using a tried and true scientific method. If an expert makes a statement, make sure it is backed up by science. The hard part is, how can a lay person know which journals are reputable? Look up, "What are the top medical journal?" https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+the+top+medical+journals&rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA952CA952&oq=what+are+the+top+medical+journals&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30j0i390l3.11137j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 And Bingo....there they are. Notice the New England Journal of Medicine is number 1 on the list. There is no two ways around it. Science is proving that these vaccines are safe with extremely rare risks of serious medical concerns in any population of people. They are among the most effective vaccines made. They will get us out of this pandemic. Vaccines and the continued wearing of an effective mask. More on that later. Anne-Marie Please share. One thousand km's on my bike this season. That's a lot of stress burned off on the road. Activity outside is key to our mental health.

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