PolitiFact and MediaWise are teaming up to debunk misinformation about the coronavirus crisis. To have Coronavirus Facts delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday, click here.
As I write today’s newsletter, I’m on day 43 working remotely due to COVID-19. But, hey, who’s counting?
A Facebook post paints House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as hypocritical on voting from home.
An image with the post shows two photos of Pelosi.
One caption reads: “Congress shall not vote remotely because it is not secure!”
The other reads: “Americans should all vote for president by mail!”
The post itself says: “Yes she did say them both.”
Pelosi didn’t utter either of those quotes, according to Google and Nexis searches.
Pelosi is a prominent supporter of letting voters cast ballots by mail — a process opposed by President Donald Trump, who claims it is open to fraud. But this post mischaracterizes her stance on congressional voting.
In late March, as the House moved to pass a $2 trillion stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Pelosi expressed reluctance about lawmakers voting remotely on the package. But by May, she voted for a measure that requires a House committee to study remote voting.
Click here for the full fact-check.
TikTok video about COVID-19 death rates needs context
We’re all curious to know how risky COVID-19 is and what it might entail if we caught it. This TikTok video tried to calm our nerves, but MediaWise found it Needs Context. Watch the fact-check»
Do large Democrat-led states have debt while those with Republican governors don’t?
No. All four states discussed in a viral image — New York, Florida, Texas and California — have debt. Get the facts»
Photo claims to show Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer breaking social distancing rules
The photo doesn’t show Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer breaking social distancing rules. It came from Whitmer’s campaign when she was running for governor in October 2018. Read the fact-check»
Here’s how to stay media literate using the news in the time of COVID-19
What news sources should I be reading as the election approaches? When is it time to take a break from the news during the coronavirus pandemic? MediaWise Voter Project Campus Correspondents have you covered in this video. Watch the IGTV»
Click here to get this newsletter in your inbox every weekday.
Alex Mahadevan is a senior multimedia reporter at MediaWise. He can be reached at amahadevan@poynter.org or on Twitter at @AlexMahadevan. Follow MediaWise on TikTok.
