SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
At a glance
- Claim: India’s largest research organization, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) published a study that found smokers and vegetarians were less vulnerable to COVID-19.
- Rating: FALSE
- The facts: On April 20, the CSIR published the results of a study conducted to determine the presence of antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in various groups of people, including vegetarians and smokers. The CSIR released a statement on April 24, clarifying that no conclusion could be drawn from the study, as it required further experimentation.
- Why we fact-checked this: Facebook page “Assam Daily” posted a photo with this claim on April 26. The page has over 29,000 likes and 30,000 followers. This claim was spotted by Rappler’s fact check team.
Complete details
Facebook page “Assam Daily” posted a photo on Monday, April 26, containing the claim that smokers and vegetarians were less vulnerable to COVID-19, according to a study conducted by India’s largest research organization, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The post contained the following text: “Smokers and vegetarians were found to have lower sero-positivity, while those with blood group ‘O’ may be less susceptible to coronavirus, according to a survey by a top research body.”
The page has over 29,000 likes and 30,000 followers. This claim was spotted by Rappler’s fact check team.
This claim is false.
CSIR has said that, based on their studies, no conclusion can be drawn on whether the vegetarian diet and smoking can protect from COVID-19.
On April 20, the CSIR published a peer-reviewed study entitled “Insights from a Pan India Sero-Epidemiological survey (Phenome-India Cohort) for SARS-CoV-2”. The study was conducted to determine the presence of antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in various groups of people with different conditions and lifestyles across India.
Bodies respond to viral infection by producing antibodies that bind with the virus and build immunity which, if strong enough, may prevent progression to severe infection or reinfection by the same virus. There were 10,427 people who volunteered to participate in this study that used the method of a seropositivity survey.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a seropositivity survey is a method wherein blood samples or other bodily fluids are taken from a defined population over a period of time to determine the presence of antibodies against a virus. Seropositivity surveys are also used to determine the level of immunity communities may have against a highly contagious virus like SARS-CoV-2.
The study found that non-smokers and non-vegetarians had higher odds of seropositivity, meaning they have been previously infected with COVID-19 or exposed to SARS-CoV-2. However, the study did not say that smokers and vegetarians are less vulnerable or less likely to get infected with COVID-19.
On April 24, the CSIR issued a press release, clarifying the false claims circulating about the study. In the press release, the CSIR stated: “In studies such as these, associations with any of the parameters should be considered causal until proven experimentally. Hence, CSIR would like to state that NO conclusion can be drawn that the vegetarian diet and smoking may protect from COVID-19 based on these studies.”
The WHO also previously stated that there were currently no peer-reviewed studies that had conclusively evaluated the risk of COVID-19 infection in smokers. – Sofia Guanzon/Rappler.com
Sofia Guanzon is a Rappler intern. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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