Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Everyone Should Know About

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through the droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.

You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has quickly spread around the world. While initially mainly affecting Asia, Europe, and North America and now to the other parts of the world.

Misinformation and myths have been spreading fast. Below are some common myths that revolve around the scenario of COVID’19 and facts that need to be known. Here are the Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Everyone Should Know About.

Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Everyone Should Know About

Myths are a widely held popular but false or wrong belief or idea.

• Myth 1 Drinking Alcohol protects you against Coronavirus

FACT: Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 at all and can be dangerous for your health. Frequent or excessive use of alcohol can increase your risk of health problems.

• Myth 2 Antibiotics can help against Coronavirus

FACT: No, antibiotics do not work against viruses at all, only bacteria. Bacterias can be treated through antibiotics.

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the Coronavirus, you may receive antibiotics because of bacterial co-infection along that COVID.

• Myth 3 Vector Insects like mosquitoes, flies can spread Coronavirus

FACT: To date, there has been no information, study nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes, houseflies.

• Myth 4 Taking a hot bath, prolonged exposure to the sun, drinking hot water can help

FACT: Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 37°C irrespective of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.

Just keep your hands clean frequently. No drinking hot water won’t be of any help either. You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather conditions have reported cases of COVID-19.

• Myth 5 Coronavirus affects only old people one of the biggest Myths and Facts about Covid-19

FACT: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus, that is they can get more ill, with probable higher chances of severe illness.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

• Myth 6 If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds you don’t have COVID

FACT: The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are dry cough, tiredness, and fever. Some people may develop more severe forms of the disease, such as pneumonia. The best way to confirm if you have the virus-producing COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test. You cannot confirm it with this 10 seconds breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous.

• Myth 7 Can dog or other animals have Coronavirus

FACT: We are still learning about this virus, studies are being carried out, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations, especially after close contact with a person sick with COVID-19.

• Myth 8 Eating Garlic, pepper can cure Corona

FACT: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus. Same as Hot peppers in your food, though very tasty, cannot prevent or cure COVID-19.

• Myth 9 The prolonged use of medical masks can result in oxygen deficiency

FACT: The prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. While wearing a medical mask, make sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp.

• Myth 10 Can shoe spread the Coronavirus

FACT: The likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting individuals is very low. As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance of your home.

• Myth 11 Is it okay to wear masks while exercising

FACT: People should NOT wear masks when exercising as masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably. Sweat can make the mask become wet more quickly which makes it difficult to breathe and promotes the growth of microorganisms. The important preventive measure during exercise is to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter from others.

• Myth 12 Thermal scanners can detect Corona

FACT: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature). They cannot detect people who are infected with COVID-19.

• Myth 13 COVID 19 Full treatment Drug out?

FACT: While several drug trials are ongoing, there is currently no proof that hydroxychloroquine or any other drug can cure or prevent COVID-19. The misuse of hydroxychloroquine can cause serious side effects and illness and even lead to death. The vaccine or proper cure is still in progress.

• Myth 14 Spraying disinfectant on body cure Corona

FACT: Do not under any circumstance spray or introduce bleach or any other disinfectant into your body. These substances can be poisonous if ingested and cause irritation and damage to your skin and eyes.

• Myth 15 Drinking disinfectant cures Corona

FACT: No never ever drink a disinfectant. Methanol, ethanol, and bleach are poisons. Drinking them can lead to disability and death. It does not cure anything at all.

• Myth 16 5G spreads Corona

FACT: Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. Also, COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks.

• Myth 17 Corona can’t spread in extremely cold or hot or humid temperatures

FACT: No cases have been reported in extreme types and humid climates, climate doesn’t play many roles here. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by maintaining a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others and frequently cleaning your hands

• Myth 18 Hand dryers effective in killing virus

FACT: No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the Coronavirus.

• Myth 19 Ultraviolet (UV) rays can kill the virus outside the body

FACT: UV radiation can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes. Therefore, Alcohol-based hand sanitizer or handwash would be enough.

These were all the Top 19 Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Everyone Should Know About. Also, read about How to Deal with the Things which are not in your control.