Confusion is down to a misreading of Public Health England data for acute respiratory infection incidents
2 Oct 2020 | Facts and news from Full Fact
View in your browser ([link removed])
** FACT CHECK
------------------------------------------------------------
** It’s wrong to say that only 3% of Covid-19 cases are caused by restaurants and pubs
------------------------------------------------------------
The Sun, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Star have all run stories claiming that pubs and restaurants caused just 3% of Covid-19 infections in the week before the new 10pm curfew was announced (up to Sunday September 20).
But this appears to stem from a misreading of Public Health England (PHE) data on acute respiratory infection (ARI) incidents.
Indeed, 17 of 532 confirmed ARIs in England, or 3%, were from food outlets and restaurant settings.
But a confirmed ARI is not the same as a Covid-19 case - it only covers outbreaks and clusters where more than one person has a respiratory infection.
Over the same period, there were 26,259 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in England, compared to 532 ARIs.
So rather than 3% of all Covid-19 cases coming from restaurants, as was reported, it was actually 3% of reported incidents linked to Covid-19 investigated by PHE.
How many people get infected in pubs and restaurants? ([link removed])
If they won’t get it right, we will. Reader, can you help make sure that the public get the accuracy they deserve? ([link removed])
Details take longer to investigate. They’re not always as easy to explain. Nor do they make the most eye-catching headlines. But we shouldn’t settle for anything less than good information.
Bad reporting about the coronavirus can lead people to ignore official health advice, and put themselves and their loved ones at risk.
That’s why we need your help today. Just a few pounds a month mean harmful reporting will be scrutinised and challenged, when people’s health is at stake.
If you agree that we all deserve better, can we count on your immediate support?
Yes, you can count on me ([link removed])
The second series of the Full Fact podcast kicks off with Deep Fakes ([link removed])
Deep Fakes have often been touted as an emerging tool of disinformation. But how big is the problem now, and how big will it get?
In the first episode of the series, available to listen from Monday, world-leading photo forensics expert Dr Hany Farid joins us from California to explain how Deep Fake technology is improving, and whether the detection technology can keep up with its progress.
Subscribe and Listen ([link removed])
** FACT CHECK
------------------------------------------------------------
** Serco didn’t build and does not run the NHS Test and Trace app ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
We’ve spotted claims on social media that Serco, a private company that is contracted to provide a range of public services, is behind the Test and Trace app.
Serco does play a role in the Test and Trace process, but not the app itself. Along with other companies, Serco is contracted to manage facilities at some regional test sites as well as some aspects of contact tracing via call centres for pillar 2 tests, (which are tests taken by members of the public).
But this work is separate from the app. The company is not listed as a group involved in the app, which includes arms of the NHS, as well as staff from the private firm Accenture.
It’s unclear where this false claim first originated, although RT did claim Serco were behind the app back in May.
Get the facts straight ([link removed])
** ANNOUNCEMENT
------------------------------------------------------------
** Full Fact launches a WhatsApp fact checking service in the UK ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
One of the hallmarks of misinformation in this coronavirus pandemic is that we’ve seen more and more harmful content coming to us via WhatsApp.
We’ve seen bogus health advice, footage purporting to show body bags piling up in a UK hospital and vastly exaggerated coronavirus ‘warnings’ purporting to come from paramedics. All were false, and many are designed to spread fear and panic.
We’re partnering with WhatsApp to create a Full Fact WhatsApp service (in the UK only).
The next time you see something being shared on Whatsapp that you’re not sure of, you can add Full Fact's number ([link removed]) , forward it on directly to us, and we’ll fact check it for you.
Find out more ([link removed])
** FACT CHECK
------------------------------------------------------------
** Also this week...
------------------------------------------------------------
* It’s true that women escaping domestic abuse can get a free train ticket in Great Britain if they are travelling to refuge accommodation ([link removed])
* What is the guidance on face masks? ([link removed])
* Covid-19 has killed more people than obesity in the UK this year ([link removed])
* How quickly is the outbreak growing? ([link removed])
Read our latest fact checks ([link removed])
** Stop the spread of bad information ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Find these updates useful? We'd be incredibly grateful if you could share our fact checks and help more people access good information.
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Ffullfact.org%2Fhealth%2Fits-wrong-to-say-that-only-3-of-covid-19-cases-are-caused-by-restaurants-and-pubs%2F Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Ffullfact.org%2Fhealth%2Fits-wrong-to-say-that-only-3-of-covid-19-cases-are-caused-by-restaurants-and-pubs%2F)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
** EVENT
------------------------------------------------------------
** Upcoming event: misuse of statistics webinar ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The coronavirus pandemic has shown just how critical it is that everyone has access to accurate information that they can use to make important decisions. As well as promoting good information, it is crucial that the misuse of data and information is challenged.
Full Fact is not alone in these efforts, and the International Association for Official Statistics is hosting an event on 6 October that will bring together leaders from around the world to discuss how statistical agencies can prevent misuse of statistics.
Register for free ([link removed])
============================================================
Many thanks from the Full Fact team
** Follow us ([link removed])
** Follow us ([link removed])
** Donate ([link removed])
** Donate ([link removed])
** Like us ([link removed])
** Like us ([link removed])
** Follow us ([link removed])
** Follow us ([link removed])
Please note that we do not respond to replies to this email. If you have any questions or feedback please ** visit our contact form. ([link removed])
You can ** find out how we’re funded here ([link removed])
.
Copyright © Full Fact 2020 - All rights reserved
A registered charity (no. 1158683) and a non-profit company (no. 6975984) limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales.
Our mailing address is:
2 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1Y 5AA
We use Mailchimp to send you our emails and to see which articles are most popular. ** Read our privacy policy ([link removed])
or ** Mailchimp's privacy policy ([link removed])
** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
** update subscription preferences ([link removed])
