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Theories Β· Health

COVID kit

The COVID-19 kit, often referred to as early treatment, is a term used to describe the denialist approach promoted by the Brazilian government led by Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters regarding the use of medications with no proven efficacy in treating COVID-19. This approach includes advocating for the use of drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, azithromycin, bromhexine, nitazoxanide, anticoagulants, and zinc supplements. At the start of the pandemic, specifically in March 2020, chloroquine emerged as a possible treatment for the disease based on two studies of questionable quality. Notably, Donald Trump, United States President at the time, endorsed one of these studies, challenging the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which led to the politicization of the issue.

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Action items

Prevention steps

  1. StopNotice a strong emotion (anger, fear, 'they don't want you to know') before you share. Pause first.
  2. Investigate the sourceWho is making the claim, what's their expertise, and what do they gain if you believe it?
  3. Find better coverageRead laterally: open new tabs and see what independent outlets and fact-checkers say.
  4. Trace claims to the originFind the original study, video or document. Check dates and whether quotes are cut.
  5. Ask what would change your mindReal theories can be tested. If every piece of counter-evidence 'proves' the cover-up, it can't be.
  6. Count the peopleBig secret plots need thousands of people to stay silent for years. That rarely happens.
  7. Talk, don't mockWith friends or family, ask questions, listen, share your own sources calmly. Shame backfires.
  8. PrebunkLearn the common tricks (cherry-picking, fake experts, false dilemmas) so you spot them early.

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