With the massive outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and the current lockdown in India – and quite a few other countries – there are many cure claims or certain preventive measures that are making the rounds on social media. Various myths going viral is nothing new, but in such dire situations, they will do much more harm. We break down the facts and myths for you.
#1. Myth: The coronavirus doesn’t spread in a hot and humid climate.
There is no scientific evidence that hot and humid weather will stop the spread of coronavirus. The World Health Organisation says that can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.
#2. Myth: Cold weather and snow kill the Covid-19 virus.
The normal body temperature is 98 degrees Celsius. This is regardless of the outside temperatures. No evidence supports this claim, and WHO states that cold weather and snow cannot kill the new coronavirus.
#3. Myth: A hot bath prevents you from getting coronavirus.
As mentioned before, external temperatures – be it the weather or the water you use for a bath – do not affect your internal temperature. WHO clearly states that taking a hot bath does not prevent coronavirus disease.
Also Read: 4 Simple Protective Measures You Can Take Against Coronavirus
#4. Myth: Mosquitos spread the Covid-19 virus.
Coronavirus is a respiratory-based virus. It spreads through the droplets created when you sneeze or nose discharge or saliva. Mosquitos can only spread blood-based diseases.
#5. Myth: Covid-19 virus is killed by hand dryers.
The World Health Organisation straight out dismisses this myth. The reason is similar to the ones above regarding the outside temperatures not affecting internal ones.
#6. Myth: UV lamps help kill the coronavirus.
Firstly, this is incorrect – they do not kill the virus. Secondly, they cause skin irritation, so they should not be used to sterilise hands or any other areas of skin.
Also Read: 5 Videos That’ll Tell You Everything About Coronavirus
#7. Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kills the coronavirus.
The spray will reach your skin, and if you have been affected by the virus, it will be inside your body. The spraying won’t have any effect on the virus. Chlorine and alcohol can be harmful to your mucous membranes and even clothes if not used in recommended ways and proportions.
#8. Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline helps prevent infection with the coronavirus.
Regularly rinsing your nose by using a saline rinse is said to help recover from a common cold. But there isn’t any evidence stating it helps prevent the Covid-19 virus.
#9. Myth: Eating garlic helps prevent Covid-19 virus.
While garlic has antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence to suggest that consuming garlic prevents the coronavirus.
#10. Myth: Coronavirus only affects older people. Young people aren’t susceptible to it.
The Covid-19 virus catches on quickly to those who are vulnerable to any form of the disease. These include people who are old, who have another disease, have low immunity, etc. The coronavirus doesn’t differentiate by age.
Also Read: How Social Media Is Influencing Opinions During The Coronavirus Outbreak
#11. Myth: Antibiotics will help prevent coronavirus.
Antibiotics are for bacteria and not virus. As Covid-19 is a virus, the antibiotics don’t work on it, says WHO.
#12. Myth: Swallowing or gargling with bleach, taking acetic acid or steroids, or using essential oils, saltwater, ethanol or other substances can help prevent Covid-19 virus.
Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins, says that none of these recommendations protects you in any way from getting COVID-19. In fact, some of these practices are dangerous for health.
#13. Myth: A face mask will protect you from COVID-19.
“Certain models of professional, tight-fitting respirators (such as the N95) can protect health care workers as they care for infected patients,” says Maragakis, “For the general public without respiratory illness, wearing lightweight disposable surgical masks is not recommended. Because they don’t fit tightly, they may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth or eyes. Also, people with the virus on their hands who touch their face under a mask might become infected.” Those who have any respiratory illnesses can wear the mask to lower the chances of spreading the illness.
If you hear or read these below statements, know that they are NOT true!
- The virus spreads through animals.
- Sonic vibrations will kill the virus.
- Drinking cow urine prevents coronavirus.
- Marijuana kills Covid-19.
- Imported Chinese goods carry the virus.
Graphics: World Health Organisation