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

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic
Disney/Marvel Studios

Pedro Pascal Adjusts Accent

Pedro Pascal was advised to tone down the Mid-Atlantic accent for his upcoming role as the stretchy Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards in Fantastic Four: First Steps.

In a video interview with Vanity Fair, he reflected on his past and current work and talked about working with a dialect coach for the Marvel movie, which is set to premiere on July 25th.

Keep ReadingShow less
Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less