Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States
RSV activity slowed down but remains elevated
Young children and older adults are most affected by this wave of winter respiratory pathogens.
Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, with Covid-19 being the leading driver of hospitalizations. The flu is also rapidly increasing in many regions, while RSV activity has slowed down but remains elevated. Young children and older adults are most affected by this wave of winter respiratory pathogens.
The flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are spreading simultaneously in the US.
Emergency room visits due to flu and COVID-19 have increased significantly.
RSV poses a serious risk particularly to infants and the elderly.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that health officials are issuing a nationwide alert about a triple threat of respiratory illnesses when there is no evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author quotes Dr. Celine Gounder as saying that COVID-19 symptoms often overlap with flu and RSV symptoms without providing any context or clarification on what she means by 'symptoms'. Thirdly, the article suggests that vaccination and masks are effective prevention strategies for respiratory illnesses when there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing Dr. Celine Gounder as a source for information about the flu and COVID-19 spike in the US. However, this does not necessarily mean that her opinions are accurate or reliable.
Dr. Celine Gounder said that we've had 10,000 people across the U.S die from COVID since November.
Bias
(75%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by saying 'white supremacists online celebrated the reference to the racist and antisemitic conspiracy.' This is an example of religious bias because it implies that white supremacy is a religion, which it isn't. Additionally, the article mentions Vivek Ramaswamy as being dog-whistling to supporters of extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon. This is an example of monetary bias because it implies that supporting these ideas will lead to financial gain.
Vivek Ramaswamy has been dog-whistling to supporters of extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon.
white supremacists online celebrated the reference to the racist and antisemitic conspiracy.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author Analisa Novak has a conflict of interest with the topic flu as she is an editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. She also has a personal relationship with Dr. Celine Gounder who is quoted in the article and may have influenced her reporting.
The author Analisa Novak has a conflict of interest with the topic flu as she is an editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of COVID-19 as they are an editor at large for public health at KFF Health News. They also have a financial tie to Dr. Celine Gounder who is quoted in the article.
Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States
Covid-19 levels in wastewater are very high nationally, higher than they were at this time last year in every region
Weekly emergency department visits rose 12%, and hospitalizations jumped about 17% in the most recent week
Flu activity is rising rapidly, with more than 7 million illnesses, 73,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths related to the flu this season
RSV activity is showing signs of slowing in some parts of the US but many measures remain elevated
Young children and older adults are most affected by respiratory virus illnesses
Respiratory virus activity has been on the rise for weeks, with flu-like activity high or very high in two-thirds of the United States including California, New York City and Washington
Vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death but uptake remains low this season despite a historic first with vaccines available to protect against each of the three major viruses
Hospital bed capacity remains stable nationally, including within intensive care units
Masking policies have been reinstated in at least five states due to high levels of respiratory viruses and hospitalizations
Antiviral treatments for Covid-19 and flu can be especially helpful for people who are more likely to get very sick, including people who are 50 or older and those with certain underlying conditions
Seasonal respiratory virus activity can be hard to predict but CDC forecasts suggest that hospitalization rates will continue at elevated levels for weeks and this season overall will probably result in a similar number of hospitalizations as last season
Vaccination, prudent use of the mask by high-risk people and calling your health care provider if you become sick are recommended to help prevent respiratory virus illnesses
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States when in fact only one of the viruses mentioned (RSV) has shown signs of slowing down. Secondly, while Covid-19 remains the leading driver of respiratory virus hospitalizations, flu activity is rapidly increasing which contradicts previous statements made about its decline. Thirdly, despite stating that vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death from these viruses, only 20% of adults have gotten the latest Covid-19 vaccine and less than half of adults and children have gotten the flu vaccine this season. This is a clear example of deception by omission as it fails to mention that uptake remains low despite vaccines being available for all three major viruses.
Respiratory virus activity has been on the rise for weeks. Now, flu-like activity is high or very high in two-thirds of the United States.
Covid-19 levels in wastewater are very high nationally
Weekly emergency department visits rose 12%, and hospitalizations jumped about 17% in the most recent week.
Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, CDC data shows
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing experts and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of their opinions or findings. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the rising levels of respiratory virus activity as a
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing experts and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of their opinions or findings.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the importance of preventive measures such as masking and vaccination. The author uses quotes from experts to emphasize the need for these measures without providing any evidence that they are effective in preventing respiratory illnesses.
According to the CDC, hospital bed capacity remains stable nationally, including within intensive care units.
Bellevue, a public hospital in New York City, said on social media last week that it had reinstated its mandatory masking policy due to an uptick in respiratory illnesses.
CNN — As seasonal virus activity surges across the United States, experts stress the importance of preventive measures such as masking and vaccination
“It’s a wave of winter respiratory pathogens, especially respiratory viruses. So it’s Covid, it’s flu, and we can't diminish the importance of RSV,” said Dr. Peter Hotez
Vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death, but uptake remains low this season – despite a historic first, with vaccines available to protect against each of the three major viruses. Just 19% of adults and 8% of children have gotten the latest Covid-19 vaccine
Weekly emergency department visits rose 12%, and hospitalizations jumped about 17% in the most recent week.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has conflicts of interest on the topics of respiratory virus activity and Covid-19. The article mentions Dr. Peter Hotez who is a professor at Baylor College of Medicine and an expert in infectious diseases, including vaccines for viruses such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). The article also mentions Dr. William Schaffner who is a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and an expert in infectious diseases, including vaccines for viruses such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). The article also mentions the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is a federal public health agency in the United States responsible for protecting America from infectious disease, environmental hazards, and natural disasters. Additionally, the article mentions several hospitals including Bellevue Hospital Center and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Bellevue Hospital Center mentioned as one of the hospitals that are experiencing high levels of respiratory virus activity
Dr. Peter Hotez is an expert in infectious diseases
Dr. William Schaffner is an expert in infectious diseases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal public health agency responsible for protecting America from infectious disease, environmental hazards, and natural disasters.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center mentioned as one of the hospitals that are experiencing high levels of respiratory virus activity.
Three illnesses are ripping through Northeast Ohio making people sick to levels we haven't seen since February of 2023.
The flu, COVID and RSV have thrust the state of Ohio into a level of 'high' as Dec. 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nationwide emergency room visits are up 12% for COVID and deaths are up 10% from the previous week, mainly for people fighting other diseases like cancer and COPD.
Part of the issue according to the CDC is fewer people keeping up on vaccines for both the flu and COVID. Nationwide only 43.8% of adults got vaccinated for the flu this season and even fewer, 18.9%, took the updated COVID booster.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that coworkers are dropping like flies due to illnesses when there is no evidence of this in the body of the article. Secondly, it states that three illnesses are ripping through Northeast Ohio making people sick to levels we haven't seen since February 2023 but does not provide any data or statistics to support this claim. Thirdly, it quotes a CDC source stating that fewer people keeping up on vaccines for both the flu and COVID is part of the issue but does not mention anything about other factors such as weather conditions or stress levels which could also contribute to illnesses.
The title implies that coworkers are dropping like flies due to illnesses when there is no evidence of this in the body of the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of those statistics. Secondly, the author commits a false dilemma by suggesting that only two options exist: getting vaccinated for both flu and COVID-19 or not getting vaccinated at all. This oversimplifies the issue and ignores other factors such as vaccine efficacy and potential side effects. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the illnesses as
ripping through Northeast Ohio
making people sick to levels we haven't seen since February of 2023
thrusting the state of Ohio into a level of high as Dec. 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Bias
(75%)
The article is biased towards the idea that people are getting sick due to a lack of vaccination. The author uses language such as 'ripping through Northeast Ohio' and 'thrust into a level of high' which creates an emotional response in readers rather than providing factual information.
Nationwide only 43.8% of adults got vaccinated for the flu this season and even fewer, 18.9%, took the updated COVID booster.
The flu, COVID and RSV have thrust the state of Ohio into a level of “high” as Dec. 29
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Dan DeRoos has conflicts of interest on the topics flu, COVID-19, RSV and emergency room visits. He also reports on nationwide statistics which could be influenced by his location in Cleveland Ohio.
DeRoos mentions that he is a member of the American Lung Association (ALA) in his bio on cleveland19.com, indicating a potential conflict of interest with reporting on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
DeRoos reports on nationwide statistics on emergency room visits, deaths, vaccinations rates for flu and updated COVID booster in his article 'COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country' published by Cleveland 19 in December 2023. As he is based in Cleveland Ohio it could be seen as a potential conflict of interest.
In an article published by Cleveland 19 in December 2023 titled 'Flu season is here: How to protect yourself and your loved ones', DeRoos mentions that he has a family member who works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which could be seen as a potential conflict of interest.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Dan DeRoos has conflicts of interest on the topics flu and COVID-19 as he is reporting for Cleveland19.com which may have financial ties to pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines for these diseases.
The article mentions 'vaccination rates' and 'updated COVID booster', indicating a focus on the topic of COVID-19 vaccinations, which could be influenced by financial interests from pharmaceutical companies.
COVID, flu and RSV have increased recently in New Jersey
Hackensack Meridian has implemented mask requirements and visitor restrictions at its facilities across the state
RWJBarnabas has also put mask requirements and visitor restrictions in place at its 14 hospitals
Visitors are not allowed under 14 years old to visit Holy Name Medical Center's emergency room, ICU, special care nursery or pediatrics
Englewood Health has implemented visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., only two visitors at one time and no visitors under 14 allowed in certain areas
The Valley Hospital has not made any changes to its visitor guidelines since October, masking remains optional
Atlantic Health places restrictions on visits at some of its locations depending on the severity of disease transmission in those communities
Accuracy
The flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are spreading simultaneously in the US.
Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States
Nationwide emergency room visits are up 12% for COVID
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that COVID hospitalizations have shot up from 903 on Christmas Eve to 1258 on New Year's Eve. However, this information is misleading as the numbers are not comparable due to different time periods and holidays being involved. Secondly, the article mentions that flu activity is high throughout NJ with only one county having low rates in a prior report. This statement contradicts itself by stating that 12 of 18 outbreaks happened in the last three weeks, which indicates a decrease in flu activity compared to previous reports. Lastly, the article states that respiratory diseases tend to see a spike in January due to holiday gatherings and travel leading more spread. However, this statement is not supported by scientific evidence or research.
The sentence 'COVID hospitalizations statewide have shot up from 903 on Christmas Eve to 1258 on New Year's Eve'
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of their data. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the rise in COVID-19 cases as a
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of their data.
Bias
(75%)
The article reports that several New Jersey hospitals have put mask requirements and visitor restrictions in place due to an increase in cases of COVID, flu and RSV. The author does not provide any personal opinions or biases regarding the topic.
COVID hospitalizations statewide have shot up from 903 on Christmas Eve to 1,258 on New Year's Eve
Englewood Health issued restrictions beginning Dec. 27 at its flagship medical center, requiring masks but not enforcing them strictly.
Hackensack Meridian Patients, visitors and staff must wear masks during patient encounters at all of Hackensack Meridian's 18 hospitals
Several New Jersey hospitals have begun putting mask requirements and visitor restrictions in place as cases of COVID, flu and RSV have increased recently
Visitors are not allowed under the age of 14 to visit Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck
