The novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been spreading at a rapid pace, infecting many people across the world. At the same time, social media, as well as the internet, is flooded with loads of information related to Coronavirus. But there is a thin line that demarcates between a fact and fiction. So here are Coronavirus myth busters that offer comprehensive information and clears many of your doubts related to the Coronavirus pandemic. The novel SARS-CoV-2 has caused the deaths of many thousands of people across the globe and infected lakhs of individuals. It is not seasonal flu; the mortality rate of infected persons does spread a sense of panic among the people. In a bid to offer accurate information the WHO (World Health Organization) has been constantly offering the latest coronavirus updates, news, and other details.
In the series of its efforts to enhance awareness about the new coronavirus (Covid-19), WHO has released a series of coronavirus myth busters. The info offered by WHO very well answers many of the queries that are plaguing the minds of people surrounding the Coronavirus disease. The myth busters by WHO very well answers many of our queries that are tinkering in our brains for quite some time now. Without any further ado, let’s check out the most common myths of coronavirus infection and the facts about them.
1) Coronavirus Cannot be Transmitted in Hot and Humid Climates
Many are of the opinion that the novel Covid-19 virus spreads only in the cold weather and would be controlled in the spring. It is believed the virus cannot survive for long in the hot and humid climate and will be eliminated in summer. This, in fact, is not true! The Coronavirus spreads in all areas across the globe irrespective of the climatic conditions. The best way to fight against coronavirus is to adopt protective measures such as cleaning your hands regularly. Also, it is advisable to avoid contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth.
2) Coronavirus Would be Killed by Cold Weather and Snow
There is no research to back off the myth, wherein the cold weather and snow kill the virus. The fact is that the cold weather and snow cannot kill the coronavirus. So, the best way to stay away from Coronavirus infection is to follow self-quarantine and sanitize yourself with alcohol-based hand rubs, normal hand wash with soap and water.
Myth 3: Taking a Hot Bath Protects you from Coronavirus disease
Again the myth is not true and the fact is that the hot bath does not prevent the recurrence of the coronavirus infection. The normal body temperature of humans is 36.5 to 37 degrees irrespective of the weather. On the contrary, taking a hot bath can be extremely harmful as it may leave you with severe burns.
Myth 4: Coronavirus is transmitted through Mosquito Bite
As of now, there is no research or evidence that points out that the Coronavirus disease can be transmitted by insects. The principal mode of transmission is via the droplets that ooze out when an infected person, sneezes, coughs or through the droplets of saliva discharged from the nose.
Myth 5: Hand dryers Can Effectively Kill the Coronavirus
Once again, this is only a myth as hand dryers cannot effectively kill the novel coronavirus. It is advisable to regularly wash your hands with soap or an alcohol-based scrub and then drying your hands with a paper towel or a warm air dryer.
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Myth 6: Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamps Kill the Coronavirus
This is one of the popular myths and the reality is you should not expose your skin to UV radiation as it may cause skin irritation.
Myth 7: Effectiveness of Thermal Scanners in Detecting People Infected with Corona Virus
There is a limitation with the use of thermal scanners; they can detect the people suffering from fever. On the flip side, the onset of Coronavirus symptoms takes about 2 to 10 days to make their appearance. So, the scanners turn out to be ineffective when it comes to the detection of people with early coronavirus infections.
Myth 8: Spraying Alcohol or Chlorine all Over Your Body Kills the New Coronavirus
Alcohol or chlorine are used as surface disinfectants and exposing eyes, nose to them can result in harmful implications. The virus enters the body through the nose, eyes and hence they prove to be ineffective in the case of infected individuals. Also, there was a myth that said that alcohol consumption kills the new corona virus, which in reality is false.
Myth 9: Vaccines Against Pneumonia are Effective Against the New Sars-CoV-2
This is a much-circulated myth doing rounds in social media. The efforts are on way for successful coronavirus vaccine development. Every virus is unique and requires a specific vaccine. So, the vaccine against Pneumonia or for that matter any other disease is ineffective against coronavirus infection.
Myth10: Regular Rinsing of the Nose with Saline Prevents Coronavirus Infection
This is just another myth and no evidence or research has established it. The regular rinsing of the nose with saline may help you recover from the common cold, but it does not prevent coronavirus infection.
Myth 11: Eating Garlic Help Prevent the new Corona Virus Infection
Garlic has many anti-microbial properties; currently, a combination of garlic with ginger is said to prevent coronavirus. This is not true and there is no evidence to back up the perception.
Myth 12: Older People are More Susceptible to Coronavirus Disease Than Younger People
People of all ages are equally susceptible to falling ill to the new coronavirus. WHo in this regard has advised all to take proper quarantine measure to stay away from coronavirus pandemic. However, older people with pre-existing conditions like Diabetes, Heart attack and respiratory diseases are found to fall ill much rapidly than others die to Covid-19.
Myth 13: Antibiotics are Effective in Preventing and Treating the Covid-19 Infection
Antibiotics are only meant to ward off any bacterial infection. Since 2019-nCoV is a virus, antibiotics prove to be ineffective. However, doctors prescribe antibiotics only to prevent any bacterial co-infection.
Myth 14: Specific Medicines can Prevent the new Novel nCoV-19 disease
To date, there are no specific medicines that can prevent the novel nCoV-19 disease. Infected individuals should take appropriate care to treat and relieve the infection.
