OPINION:
“Will Biden give into the anti-Trump Hydroxy Effect?” (Web, Dec. 9) points out the falsehood that studies have shown hydroxychloroquine does not work. In fact, the principal study that supposedly showed that hydroxychloroquine does not work, published in The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine, were retracted some months ago, as reported in the preeminent journal Science on June 12. According to that report, the studies’ three most prominent authors issued a statement saying, “We can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources.”
The retractions of the studies were made in the face of evidence that the data upon which they were based were almost surely fabricated. To add to the harm done by the flawed studies, most if not all other studies of a similar nature (including one being conducted by the World Health Organization) were peremptorily ended out of fear of harming the study subjects, and fear of liability claims from subjects.
Please, look it up. Don’t just rely on your favorite experts. Millions of people who could benefit from a safe, effective, cheap treatment are being harmed.
RICHARD STONE ROTHBLUM
Springfield, Va.
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