Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Listerine's COVID Disclaimer Resurfaces After GOP Senator Claims 'Mouthwash' Kills the Virus

Listerine's COVID Disclaimer Resurfaces After GOP Senator Claims 'Mouthwash' Kills the Virus
Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images // Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In addition to dismissing the severity of COVID-19 and promoting skepticism of the vaccines proven to minimize its spread, Republican elected officials have repeatedly endorsed so-called treatments with no proven efficacy in killing the virus.

Former President Donald Trump was the most infamous spreader of this disinformation, hailing the malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine and the anti-parasitic ivermectin. He even floated the possibility of injecting disinfectant as a way to kill the virus.


Far-right Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has also repeatedly worked against the advice of the world's leading medical experts regarding the virus that's killed over 750 thousand Americans. Johnson said he was "skeptical" of the effort to "vaccinate everybody." He held a press conference designed to amplify conspiracy theories regarding the vaccines and their side effects. One of Johnson's home papers—The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel—eventually labeled him the "the most irresponsible representative of Wisconsin citizens since the infamous Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy in the 1950s."

And now, Johnson is once again spreading disinformation regarding the pandemic that could get people killed.

In a recent town hall, Johnson claimed that mouthwash is an effective treatment for the virus.

Johnson said:

"By the way, standard gargle, mouthwash, has been proven to kill the coronavirus. If you get it, you may reduce viral replication. Why not try all these things?"

The evidence for mouthwash killing COVID-19 is limited, to say the least. There have been reports that some mouthwashes killed the virus in its early stages, but the mouth is not the target of the virus' infection.

His comments prompted the resurfacing of a warning from the world's leading mouthwash brand, Listerine, earlier in the pandemic.


The statement reads:

"LISTERINE® Antiseptic is not intended to prevent or treat COVID-19 and should be used only as directed on the product label. More research is needed to understand whether the use of mouthwashes can impact viral transmission, exposure, viral entry, viral load and ultimately affect meaningful clinical outcomes."

People were united in decrying Johnson's latest disinformation.






They were especially amazed to see these lies coming from a U.S. Senator.



Shame.

More from News

Scarlett Johansson; Ye
John Phillips/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures, Jon Kopaloff/WireImage/GettyImages

Scarlett Johansson Shares Warning After AI Video Of Her Condemning Ye Goes Viral

Hollywood actor Scarlett Johansson spoke out against a faked video using the likeness of her and other industry A-listers bashing disgraced rapper Ye for his blatant antisemitism.

She called it the "misuse of A.I., no matter its messaging" and warned that by perpetually relying on AI systems to convey messages, we risk "losing a hold on reality."

Keep ReadingShow less
Google map change of "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America"
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

People Kept Leaving Bad Reviews For 'Gulf Of America' On Google Maps—And Google Just Shut Them Down

After Google Maps changed the name of the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order, people kept leaving negative reviews, and Google was not happy about it.

On Wednesday, Google updated the location’s name following President Donald Trump’s order to change it in official government records. Clicking on the label for the Gulf in Google Maps now displays a message stating, "posting is currently turned off."

Keep ReadingShow less
TikToker discussing extinction burst theory
@ohhthatsrich/TikTok

TikToker Explains How MAGA Is A Perfect Example An 'Extinction Burst'—And It Totally Tracks

One of the most mystifying things about Trump's win is how furious conservatives still are.

They won the presidency against all odds, AND the Senate AND the House and their faves are dismantling the country before our eyes just like they've always wanted, and they're still. So. Angry. All. The. Time.

Keep ReadingShow less
President Donald Trump
YouTube/CBS News

Trump Goes Off On 'New Theory' About Magnets In Bizarre Rant About 'Fraud'

President Donald Trump was criticized after he rambled incoherently about the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier using magnets to "lift the planes up" instead of hydraulics while he ranted to reporters about uncovering the "tremendous fraud" in the U.S. government.

During his remarks at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked how he could ensure that billionaire ally Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was effectively reducing spending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Closeup on hands holding Rubix's Cube
Olav Ahrens Røtne/Unsplash

The Creepiest Displays Of Intelligence People Have Ever Seen

You don't have to be booksmart to be considered a genius.

In fact, those who possess superior intelligence slip can fly under the radar undetected until they open their mouth to espouse a mind-blowing fact nobody ever saw coming.

Keep ReadingShow less