A 2008 study related Spanish flu deaths with secondary bacterial pneumonia caused by both virus and bacteria

Fact-checkers, including Reuters, Snopes and USA Today, said a 2008 co-authored study by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the US’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, found Spanish flu deaths mainly were from bacterial pneumonia.

A false claim has resurfaced on social media saying Fauci published a study which attributed 1918 Spanish flu deaths to bacterial pneumonia caused by masks.

A study co-authored by Dr. Anthony Fauci found Spanish flu victims died from pneumonia caused by mask-wearing.

What people are saying?

Cheryl Schmatt I hate misinformation. The people who heard the misinformation will believe it because they don’t believe the real media. My husband in a work meeting was exposed to Covid, but all were wearing a mask and his results came back negative. Thank God for mask mandates.

rey_morboso He may not have said masks attributed. But how many people change their masks out daily or after heavy use? That moisture build up can lead to the growth of the same bacteria that his study says is already in our nasal passages and airways.