Science Story

Next time you read an article, you may want to rethink the reliability before you spread the news. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that not only are we dealing with a global pandemic, we are also dealing with widespread misinformation about aspects involving the pandemic. While some of these are thought to be innocent, such as dramatizing to sell vitamins or supplements, others are preventing people from getting vaccinated due to risks that have not been proven. The biggest one is the rumor that all the COVID-19 vaccines may lead to infertility. Most recently the Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers claimed he refused the vaccination due to worries about infertility. There have been no proven effects of infertility from the scientists behind any testing for the vaccine. It is actually recommended for pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine because COVID-19 can cause women to deliver their babies prematurely. Thankfully the U.S Surgeon General put together a checklist in order for people to know what information is true and what is misleading. Vivek Murthy, the current Surgeon General, stated “We need people in our communities all across our country to have these conversations.”