Home Health Don’t Believe Anything You Read: Twenty Coronavirus Myths Busted By Science

Don’t Believe Anything You Read: Twenty Coronavirus Myths Busted By Science

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Don’t Believe Anything You Read: Twenty Coronavirus Myths Busted By Science

The world is going through one of the greatest transformations of all time. And naturally, people are going insane. They get caught up in different conspiracy theories and twitter frenzies. Social media is full of fake news, misinformation and panic-spreading, click-bait articles.

Meanwhile, markets and convenience stores are overcrowded with people. And to make it sound even more ridiculous, the entire population is obsessed with buying toilet paper. WHY? Don’t ask me. It’s a phenomenon that science has yet to fully explain.

So, with all of the panic and fear that’s spreading around the world right now, we felt that it’s our duty to put a stop to all of the fake news and support the facts.

So, here we are. These are some of the most pervasive coronavirus myths that are circulating on the internet right now that have been debunked by science. Ignore them for the sake of our health and safety of us and our loved ones

And please… Don’t spread fear. Instead, make sure you spread the facts and the facts only.

1. Coronavirus is the deadliest virus known to humans. False. Some of the most dangerous viruses that have put the world on high alert in the 21st century are the Marburg virus with a death rate as high as 90% and the Ebola virus with a fatality rate of 50%.

2. Garlic can treat the coronavirus. That’s a dangerous myth. While eating garlic will definitely enhance your immune system and keep you healthy, it is not known to prevent people from catching coronavirus or treating it.

3. Hot baths and showers can kill the virus. A really silly myth. No, hot showers and drinking hot water won’t kill the virus if you’ve already been infected. It will only burn your skin. So, please just stick to washing your hands.

4. The world will run out of toilet paper. No, it won’t. So, please stop hoarding toilet paper. There’s enough for all of us!

5. Cocaine cures coronavirus. A horrible, hyper myth that can backfire in ways you cannot even imagine if people don’t stop spreading it. NO! Cocaine does not protect against Covid-19, nor does it cure coronavirus. It is a highly addictive, deadly drug.

6. There’s a coronavirus vaccine ready! Unfortunately, that’s another myth. Scientists are currently working on it, but no vaccine made from genetic material has been approved to date. According to experts, “while there is a push to do things as fast as possible, it’s really important not to take shortcuts.”

7. Children can’t catch Covid-19. Horribly dangerous misinformation. Even though from what is known, this disease often afflicts the elderly or the people with underlying health conditions, the youngest victim so far has been is a 16-year-old girl from France, who died only a few days ago. No one is safe. I repeat NO ONE. So, stay at home.

8. Hand dryers are effective at killing the coronavirus. Just a myth. Don’t bother. Just wash them properly and do it more often. And don’t forget to rub for 20 seconds.

9.You can get Covid-19 from imported oranges. Another (fruity) myth.

10. Pouring alcohol on your hands can cure coronavirus. Myth. It will only help you sanitize your hands. However,  it is also important to know that  whether you are trying to kill bacteria or viruses, research has found that only an alcohol concentration of 60% is effective. Also, don’t always rely on a hand sanitizer. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and hot water as often as you can.

11. Masks keep you safe from catching the disease. No. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee. According to WHO, masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Also, if you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

12. Covid 19 can be transmitted by mosquitoes. False. According to World Health Organization, “The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

13. And the most important of them all “everyone with Covid-19 dies”. Oh, the myth that started major panic all around the world. That’s not true and you know it. So far there have been 741, 907 cases of coronavirus out of which, 35, 337 died and 156, 602 recovered.

14. UV lamps can kill the coronavirus. Myth. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

15. The virus originated in a lab in china. Myth. The disease appears to have originated from a Wuhan wet market where wild animals, including marmots, birds, rabbits, bats, and snakes are traded legally.

16. If you eat meat you will get coronavirus. False. As long as the food is thermally processed, you’re safe.

17. Cats and dogs spread Covid-19. False. They are not carriers of the disease, however, they can still spread it through their fur or dirty paws. So, make sure you keep them clean and healthy.

18. Drink bleach to help yourself not get sick. WOW. This is by far, the craziest, most dangerous thing that I’ve read on the internet. NO! By all means, DO NOT EVER drink bleach. Get away from that bleach!!!

19. Rinsing your nose with saline help prevent the infection with Covid-19. No. According to World Health Organization, there is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. 

20. Antibiotics may be effective in preventing or treating the new coronavirus. NO. According to World Health Organization, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

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Stephanie Reeds