Science battles false information on COVID-19
Oxford resident Dana Dunagan questioned the wisdom of getting vaccinated or wearing face masks at the Aug. 17 meeting of Oxford City Council.
October 29, 2021
At the Aug. 16 meeting of the Talawanda Board of Education, a man who identified himself as Dr. Sean Brooks declared that everyone who has received an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 will die within the next five years.
Brooks said he has a doctorate degree, has studied health medicine and anatomy for 21 years, and has published 23 books. He also made false claims that people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are now sterile, suffering from blood clotting, and have dramatically decreased immune systems.

A day later, Oxford resident Dana Dunagan spoke against COVID-19 mandates at an Oxford City Council meeting. “This vaccine has not been out there very long, so I applaud the people with wisdom who are saying, ‘I’m gonna wait and see’” she said. “I don’t want to put something in my body when I don’t know what will happen.”
Dunagan added that she is a licensed physical therapist in Ohio, and that during training, she was taught protective equipment such as masks are more for one’s own safety than for others. “I would implore you: please don’t take away my freedom,” she said.
Brooks’ claims about the vaccine are false — there have been no mass death reports connected to vaccination rates, experts assure infertility isn’t a side effect of the vaccine, the mRNA vaccine has not been linked to blood clotting, and vaccines work to improve the body’s immune system, not tear it down.
Efforts to reach Brooks for comment on this story were unsuccessful. Although he claimed to be from Oxford, he is not listed as a member of Miami University’s faculty and no local address could be found for him.
Dunagan may have personal reasons for caution, but experts have proven through rigorous testing and clinical trials that mRNA vaccines are safe. These vaccines instruct cells to produce a harmless piece of spike protein from the coronavirus, which then will trigger an immune response that teaches the body how to prevent future infection. Though mRNA vaccines are newly available to the public, researchers have already studied them for decades for diseases such as flu, Zika, and rabies.
Though the inaccuracies in Dunagan’s comments were less egregious than in Brooks’, both contain misrepresentation of the scientific information provided by medical experts. Throughout the pandemic, many Americans have shunned expert advice, preferring to follow alternate sources or do their own research instead.
In Ohio, only about 55% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine despite encouragement from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts and elected officials. Beyond the coronavirus, hot debate continues in other areas of science, from climate change to whether or not vaccination causes autism.
“It’s both a psychologically interesting time and a little bit scary about how far some of this misinformation has gone into the national conversation,” said Christopher Wolfe, director of graduate studies in psychology at Miami University.
According to Wolfe, there are a variety of factors as to why people might believe misinformation. “One thing is that so many of us are not getting our news from the same sources anymore,” he said. “Certainly, through the Internet, people tend to get news from sources that fit their general worldview, and algorithms maximize engagement as opposed to accuracy.”

In this way, things that might appear bizarre to one group of people might make sense to another. Wolfe also said that people who believe in misinformation may just want to understand news in a manner they find agreeable. “People like to connect the dots and inhabit a world that makes sense to them,” he said. Sometimes, these conspiracy theories help people feel like things are fitting together and making sense.”
From a psychological standpoint, human beings don’t necessarily have to believe conspiracies for them to have influence; sometimes, the sensationalized nature of these claims cause them to be appealing, even if there is no concrete evidence.
A third reason, Wolfe said, is domain-specific knowledge from the standpoint of cognitive psychology. This helps explain why some educated adults and even healthcare professionals may believe false information.
“You could have a very reasonable scientific understanding about, for example, things in your garden and what makes plants grow, but still have misconceptions about global warming or how greenhouse gases work,” he said. “There are certain places where we have blinders on for what our own weaknesses are.”
Convincing someone of the right facts takes dialogue, patience, and listening. “People don’t like somebody just talking down to them or telling them that they’re idiots,” said Wolfe. “If you know the facts, it’s easy to get frustrated at people who don’t, but it’s counterproductive to dialogue.”
The internet environment only makes it hard for these civil conversations to be held. “A group of scientists at Georgetown University did research with online trolls and vaccination content and found half their stuff was actually considered pro-vaccine,” he said. However, this content dismissed the fears of parents who had concerns about vaccines instead of actually addressing and assuring them.
“Online, you also have to be willing to call people out and say ‘I don’t think that’s true’ or ask them for a source,” Wolfe added. “But that’s not that fun. People go to the internet for fun. If you want likes and happy emojis and I’m confronting you about the accuracy of your information, it’s hard to do that with a positive spirit.”
In real life, Wolfe said that we can each try to combat misinformation by logically speaking to someone who believes something false. “There’s misinformation that all the people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are really hospitalized from bad side effects of the vaccine. And that’s just not true. It wouldn’t take that much work just to show somebody evidence otherwise, but it takes some positive conversation and that’s something we don’t have a lot of patience for right now.”
He stressed that just throwing out facts wouldn’t prove to be an effective communication strategy. Rather, active dialogue would be the most useful course of action.
Wolfe also said that early education in elementary school about scientific thinking and recognizing facts could be useful for the next generation. “I think that it would be helpful both in terms of teaching kids to be media savvy and to have scientific literacy,” he said.
Barbara Hamilton, a fourth grade teacher at Kramer Elementary School, is working to instill these abilities in her students.

Hamilton said fourth graders learn three main areas of science: earth science, physical science, and life science. These areas cover a range of topics, from weathering and erosion to electronic circuitry to animal adaptation and ecosystems.
In all areas, Hamilton said focus is placed on inquiry learning. “I try to do a lot of hands-on experiments with the kids,” she said. “Sometimes, I build my own experiments. We typically do group experiments. They work in groups of four, because we talk a lot about how scientists collaborate.”
The experiments are usually designed so that students can come to the correct conclusion while still working to form their own ideas.
“When I look at how much science misinformation is out there,” Hamilton said, “I’m working really hard this year, more so than in past years, to talk with my kids about the scientific method. We did a whole lesson upfront on, first of all, what is science? What is the importance of evidence? What do we already know from prior work from other scientists? What’s the scientific method? Every time we do an experiment, we walk through those steps.”
However, she said that there hasn’t been much talk about COVID-19 in her classroom. “I expected my kids to talk a lot more about COVID,” she said. “I especially expected to hear some of the misinformation going around, and I really haven’t.”
Though one of her students has contracted COVID and a few others have been quarantined, she said most are used to COVID as the new normal.
“We have also had some conversations about other current topics that may have misinformation, like climate,” she added. Though she expected to hear some form of misconceptions from her students, she said she hasn’t.
“I think my fourth graders are still pretty sheltered from current event news or more adult conversations,” she said.
Hamilton’s takeaway from teaching her students is that she wants them to exit fourth grade understanding two main things: The power of curiosity and the importance of evidence. She hopes that they’ll be able to apply these to all areas of life.
“We talk a lot about evidence in science, but I also try to talk a lot about that in language arts,” said Hamilton. “If you’re going to give me an opinion on what you read, please show evidence from the text. So, we’re talking about evidence as being important across all subjects.”
As topics such as vaccination and climate change become more hotly debated, Hamilton said that she isn’t sure whether or not they’ll make it into the elementary curriculum. “My suspicion is that the lower grade levels will probably steer clear of those bigger issues,” she said. “The goal we have will continue to be building a foundational understanding of science in kids.”
Steve Turz • Jan 22, 2023 at 2:50 am
This article is an unintelligent & unrepentant lie written by people who are either too dumb to read the actual news reports written by real journalists regarding the more than 1500 athletes alone that died between ’21 and ’22 (compared to the 1100 that died between ’66 and ’04 – nearly 40yrs) or the endless sea of reports of myocarditis in healthy young adults and children, or they are malicious and deserve to be treated accordingly. Articles such as this are responsible for the cardiac arrest deaths of children & the blood clot deaths of millions which means this publication has blood on its hands. Everyone should boycott this unreadable c*mrag of a publication and put them out of business forever. Do not give them amnesty. Do not show them sympathy. Do not give them love. Do not even give them the time of day. NEVER forgive them. Never forget what they did to us.
James • Aug 30, 2022 at 10:47 am
Well I guess this story turned out to be bullshit considering that more people in the UK and Canada have died after getting mRNA shots than from covid. Too bad the US is actively hiding our own numbers.
Madeliefste • Aug 10, 2022 at 6:12 am
https://adversereactionreport.com/research/prof-dolores-cahill-everyone-who-has-had-an-mrna-injection-will-die-within-3-5-years/
Same prediction by Prof Dolores Cahill
Adolfo • Jun 17, 2022 at 9:08 am
How does anyone know if those with the power to print and use the mainstream media aren’t the ones truly lying to the world? We don’t. Only time will tell. Even if in fact people start dropping like flies in 3 to 5 years, those with the power will come up with more hoopla stories and lies to keep the sheep moving how they desire. It’s all about money and power. What better way to fight climate change than to rid the world of those mostly responsible for it. Thus you have the vaccine. There you go folks, eat it up. I’m good, I will never get the jab.
Rachel • Mar 15, 2022 at 4:14 pm
How is the woman stating the vaccine hasn’t been out long and she respects people waiting on getting it false information?
Ckarkson • Apr 2, 2022 at 12:24 am
Here is the false information , that is being pumped out , even by a year level 12 high school student ,,,,,Dunagan may have personal reasons for caution, but experts have proven through rigorous testing and clinical trials that mRNA vaccines are safe. These vaccines instruct cells to produce a harmless piece of spike protein from the coronavirus, which then will trigger an immune response that teaches the body how to prevent future infection. Though mRNA vaccines are newly available to the public, researchers have already studied them for decades for diseases such as flu, Zika, and rabies.
Kim poe • Feb 6, 2022 at 10:08 am
It was made by man yet they didn’t tell us they made it at first…then the government already know what it is an what it’s gonna do to All of us so keep being blindsided by your government. People on FB an tic Tok saying if you haven’t gotten shots sign this ……what ! I will never sign something the government will use to find you an there you go they tricked Americans again
Kim poe • Feb 6, 2022 at 10:03 am
So why hasn’t that doctor been stripped if his license? Or something done to him? Huh cause some people are so blind to what the government is really doing …so many people have taken shot or shots gotten suck anyways ALOT MIRE THAN WE KNOW SO WHY THE HELL TAKE IT . Not one board mber could speak out to this Dr in shock! I also heard a man that does testing an speaking to board ask why were they lying an telling people to wear mask ? Why? Testing it myself I can tell you that’s not gonna stop anything goes right thru it yet u give them hope it helps when you an I both know it wont
Jacob • Jan 7, 2022 at 10:20 am
I will never take the flu or covid vaccine, because the science does shown it 2 be not effective in preventing illness, nor is there any science showing it lessens illness either. it does lower your immunity and I’m not saying that’s the purpose. We do need 2 get back 2 a place in our country that allows people the right 2 disagree and not have there lives ruined. I respect the choice of those who get vaccinated and I only want equal treatment for my choice 2 not get it. Give me the kind liberals back they believed in choice once.
darrell • Jan 3, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Lol. A senior at junior high is an expert on vaccine” truth”?….lol. Ffs. I’ll NOT take this seriously thank you.
B. Barry • Jan 3, 2022 at 5:15 am
Thanks for the informative article especially the idea of preparing young minds to grasp understanding in relation to ‘the power of curiosity and the importance of evidence’
The pandemic has brought misery to millions of lives and with that misery, people have tried seeking understanding of what is actually going on. Let’s all be honest, people are still trying to make
Sense of what Information the experts are pushing forward. Censorship of any alternative information provokes curiosity and arouses suspicions around what the general public is expected to believe. This in turn creates space for those who have a mistrust disposition for science to challenge the prevailing ideology.
Nevertheless, the coercion tactics being utilised to promote the uptake of vaccinations only works in favour of those pushing for alternative information.
Just like seasonal flu, Covid 19 is here to stay and it’s upon humans to adapt and learn ways to manage its effects. Effective management of the virus requires transparency, accountability, honesty, persuasion rather than coercion and most of all creation of independent groups to audit and verify effective ways to tackle the virus.
AN • Dec 16, 2021 at 5:33 pm
How come that We are going back in time in stead of developing inteligence level that should be required in these times. If You will make ultimatum for people to vacinate them it is tge same as putting prisoners in concentration camps at world war and tatuating numbers on their arms, but now You will get it in a code instead, a great qr code. How can humans be so stupid to actually belive that the Covid vaccin is something good
bla bla • Dec 10, 2021 at 4:58 am
Do you think it will help to say :”false claim” and peoples such stupid to believe you ??
what about DR Robert Malone ? or DR Geert Vander Bossche , DR Juddy Mickovitz which said very same claims as Sean , they are expert Famous in their fields , so all of them are liars? and Bill Gates that sponsored WHO and the Big Pharma companies he is the good guy and say the true ?? LoL …. That’s very shallow … Thanks God , many peoples started to wake up , it wont help you
Bob Armstrong • Jan 4, 2022 at 9:24 am
We are told to “Trust The Science!”
I DO Trust the Science. But…
Coercion is NOT Science.
Withholding Data is NOT Science.
Manipulating Date is Not Science
Cherrypicking Studies is Not Science.
Social Conditioning is Not Science.
Fear Mongering is Not Science.
And censorship is Not Science. Wake-up friends.
We are being conditioned to accept everything that the
government says. If you don’t believe that, you’re already conditioned.
Loretta • Dec 8, 2022 at 2:44 am
This is the absolute truth.
Jeremy • Nov 2, 2021 at 11:00 am
Simply “using logic” isn’t a solution to engaging with conspiracy-minded people. Attempting to prove wrong the person’s opinion/belief isn’t going to do it. This is basic psychology, and I’m surprised it was presented as a useful approach. Censoring and suppressing information – even if it is false and misleading – is ALWAYS a terrible idea, and fertilizes the ground for conspiratorial thinking. Any good psychologist or psychoanalyst knows: first you find the defense/resistance, then you “go with it,” until the threat of another response is lessened enough to be considered. This happens through nuanced discussion, dialectical interactions, listening empathically. Even to “conspiracy nuts.” The comments by Sean Brooks were incredibly frustrating, but censoring him isn’t going to change anything. In his rant, he supposedly quoted Dr. Robert Malone as providing the ridiculous information that he was ranting about. But doing a little research (I have followed Dr. Malone’s remarks since he began speaking out), one can see that Dr. Malone never said any of those things (and, in fact, stated explicitly that the vaccines appear safe and effective so far). Dr. Malone was VERY careful about his language, while also being critical about false or incomplete information and declarations made by people like Dr. Fauci and others. And rightly so. Nuance, people.
Clarkson • Apr 1, 2022 at 10:45 pm
Marlone actually said he didnt think it was a good idea to use the mRNA antigens , because the study and the trials had not been completed , he also stated that he was the discoverer/inventor of the transfer/ transport system,, of mRNA across the cell membrane ,which lead to the more completed mRNA vacs not the inventor of mRNA vacs , and that he was part of a team , him being one of the lead scientists …. and now it appears some of the statements of people like Brookes just might be holding water,. by any stretch of the imagination the improperly named covo vaccs are a very complicated piece of bio-genetic chemistry ,