Debunking the coronavirus myths
Marek Uliasz
March 10, 2020
According the the World Health Organization, there are many myths associated with the coronvirus outbreak. However, many of these are false and really ignorant. Anyone who follows some of these myths needs to read the following.
- A mask will protect you
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has said that Americans who are well do not need to wear face masks, while US Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that masks could actually increase the risk of infection if they aren’t worn properly.
- Spraying chlorine or alcohol on your skin kill virusses in the body
Applying alcohol or chlorine to the body can cause harm, especially if it enters the eyes or mouth. Although people can use these chemicals to disinfect surfaces, they should not use them on skin. These products cannot kill viruses within the body.
- Heat can kill the coronavirus
Hand dryers can’t kill the virus, according to WHO. The organization also says that UV lamps shouldn’t be used to sterilize hands or other areas of the body because the radiation can irritate skin.
- You can catch coronavirus from eating Chinese food from your local restaurant
No, you cannot.
- You can catch coronavirus from drinking Corona beer
No, you cannot.
- The coronavirus can be transmited through the mail
Feel free to check your mail. Getting a letter or package from China won’t put you at risk of contracting the virus, according to WHO.
- Kids can’t get the coronavirus
Anyone of any age can get the new coronavirus, though older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable to serious infections. While most confirmed cases of the virus have occurred in adults, children have been infected too, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- People who get the coronavirus will die
The death rate for the virus is around 2%, and officials say that number is expected to fall. People who get coronavirus will typically get sick with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache and a fever that can last for a couple of days. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own. The disease can be fatal but those cases are rarer. For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there’s a chance the virus could cause a lower, and much more serious, respiratory tract illness like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
- Taking a hot bath will prevent the coronavirus
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that coud occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Home remedies can cure or prevent the coronavirus
Garlic is good for you, and so is water and vitamin C. But there is no evidence from the outbreak that eating garlic, sipping water every 15 minutes or taking vitamin C will protect people from the new coronavirus. Same goes for using essential oils, colloidal silver and steroids.
