The Federalist
Case #
2719

Facebook fact-checked The Federalist article on child mask-wearing: A Georgia Republican group posted a Federalist article which explained a recent Georgia study examining the effectiveness of masks in schools for the prevention of COVID-19. The article highlighted that the study found that the “lower incidence in schools that required mask use among students was not statistically significant compared with schools where mask use was optional." It also pointed out that children are at a lower risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. Facebook fact-checked the post claiming it included "missing context and could mislead people." The Health Feedback fact-check does not deny but rather affirms both of The Federalist's primary claims. However, the fact-checker alleged that other studies found different results and that children of color suffer more severe symptoms and have a higher death rate than white children. The fact-checker also admits that it addressed claims that The Federalist did not make in the article it is fact-checking. Facebook additionally attached a Lead Stories fact-check published nearly a year ago in response to a different Federalist article on masks that had nothing to do with children. Fact-checked posts lose exposure on Facebook feeds as they are negatively affected by the platform's algorithm. According to Facebook, users fail to click through a fact-check interstitial to see the post 95% of the time.

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