12 Coronavirus Myths You Should Stop Believing
The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the world as it’s the reason that lockdowns are happening in most places around the world. This virus that originated from Wuhan China back in December 2019 has spread like wildfire that attacks the respiratory system.
Some people, usually the ones who are younger and don’t have underlying conditions who have contracted it survived. Some of them were not even that sick other than having what appeared to be a cough and a cold.
However, many people this virus has and can kill are those who are older adults and others that have underlying conditions. And some people may be asymptomatic carriers.
The illness is characterized by a cough, a very high fever, sore throat, and eventually drowning of the lungs which is why many patients that have the virus have to go on ventilators. There are many myths going around the COVID-19 virus which are not true. Let’s go over the 12 myths that are circulating that are untrue.
#12 – COVID-19 Can Be Killed By Hand Dryers
Not true at all according to WHO. The only way to kill the virus is to wash your hands well with soap and water and dry them with a paper towel. In fact, hand dries are filled with bacteria from the bathroom particles that get trapped so it is best to use a paper towel to dry them off.
#11 – Get An Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp Because It Kills The Virus
Even though UV lamps that are used in hospitals can kill off bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces but as the WHO states, it should never be the thing to sterilize skin due to the fact it can cause a lot of serious irritation of the skin.
#10 – Thermal Scanners Can Find People Who Have The Virus
Thermal scanners can find those who have fevers but fevers are caused by the common flu and many infections as well. But because those who have the COVID-19 infection don’t have a fever for about 2 to 10 days, the thermal scanner will not detect anything.
#9 – Spray Chlorine Or Alchohol On Your Body
Yes, spraying chlorine or alcohol on surfaces will keep them disinfected but don’t spray them on your body and clothes. It is harmful to your body as well as clothing, and if you have the virus, it will not help anyway.
#8 – You Cannot Receive Packages From Anywhere Anymore, Especially China
Firstly, China is now over the curve and things have mostly resumed back to normal there. Secondly, receiving packages from other places such as the USA which is the current epicenter is safe. The virus does not live on paper for more than a day. And it may stay on other surfaces up to 3 days, you can either wait to open the package for 3 days or you can disinfect the item inside the package immediately. But saying that it is not safe to receive packages from China only perpetuates stigma and racism which is already happening in some areas.
#7 – You Can Get Coronovirus From Your Dog Or Cat
The WHO has said that dogs and cats cannot pass the virus onto you because there is no evidence of that happening. However, it is always a good practice to wash your hands with soap and water after touching your pets as they can carry other microbes as well.
#6 – You Can Be Protected From COVID-19 From Pneumonia Vaccines
The truth is no you cannot be protected from the Coronavirus from the pneumonia vaccine. It is a different type of virus and there is a vaccine in the making for COVID-19. It is not available yet.
#5 – Rinse Your Nose With Saline As It Will Help Prevent It
Rinsing your nose with a neti pot can help you if you have a cold but not it cannot help with COVID-19 symptoms, let alone preventing the virus from coming on. And if you do decide to rinse your rose with water, be sure it is sterilized as you could end up with infections otherwise that can become fatal.
#4 – You Can Stay Protected By Eating Garlic
Even though garlic has been known to stave of microbes, the WHO makes it clear that there is evidence lacking that garlic prevents you from contracting the Coronavirus.
#3 – Sesame Oil On Your Body Will Prevent You From Catching The Virus
Sesame oil may have some healing properties when it comes to colds and other mild infections as it was a treatment that was practiced in Ayurveda. But there is no evidence to show that it will prevent you from getting COVID-19. Only social distancing and washing your hands with soap and water after going for an essential shopping errand will help you. That in addition to disinfecting surfaces.
#2 – Only Older People Are Affected by COVID-19
As was mentioned in the introduction, older people are at a higher risk category especially if they have underlying conditions. However, anyone regardless of their age that has an underlying condition will be just as affected. And even for young and healthy people, they can still be affected even though it is less likely that the virus will put them in the hospital.
#1 – Antibiotics Will Kill The Virus
Coronavirus is a virus and will not respond to antibiotics like other viruses don’t. Antibiotics kill bacteria. That is a different type of microbe.
Don’t fall for these myths. Just wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry them with a paper towel as well as staying 6 feet away from others will keep your odds very low of catching it. And please stay home unless you have to run an essential errand.
Some people, usually the ones who are younger and don’t have underlying conditions who have contracted it survived. Some of them were not even that sick other than having what appeared to be a cough and a cold.
However, many people this virus has and can kill are those who are older adults and others that have underlying conditions. And some people may be asymptomatic carriers.
The illness is characterized by a cough, a very high fever, sore throat, and eventually drowning of the lungs which is why many patients that have the virus have to go on ventilators. There are many myths going around the COVID-19 virus which are not true. Let’s go over the 12 myths that are circulating that are untrue.
#12 – COVID-19 Can Be Killed By Hand Dryers
Not true at all according to WHO. The only way to kill the virus is to wash your hands well with soap and water and dry them with a paper towel. In fact, hand dries are filled with bacteria from the bathroom particles that get trapped so it is best to use a paper towel to dry them off.
#11 – Get An Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp Because It Kills The Virus
Even though UV lamps that are used in hospitals can kill off bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces but as the WHO states, it should never be the thing to sterilize skin due to the fact it can cause a lot of serious irritation of the skin.
#10 – Thermal Scanners Can Find People Who Have The Virus
Thermal scanners can find those who have fevers but fevers are caused by the common flu and many infections as well. But because those who have the COVID-19 infection don’t have a fever for about 2 to 10 days, the thermal scanner will not detect anything.
#9 – Spray Chlorine Or Alchohol On Your Body
Yes, spraying chlorine or alcohol on surfaces will keep them disinfected but don’t spray them on your body and clothes. It is harmful to your body as well as clothing, and if you have the virus, it will not help anyway.
#8 – You Cannot Receive Packages From Anywhere Anymore, Especially China
Firstly, China is now over the curve and things have mostly resumed back to normal there. Secondly, receiving packages from other places such as the USA which is the current epicenter is safe. The virus does not live on paper for more than a day. And it may stay on other surfaces up to 3 days, you can either wait to open the package for 3 days or you can disinfect the item inside the package immediately. But saying that it is not safe to receive packages from China only perpetuates stigma and racism which is already happening in some areas.
#7 – You Can Get Coronovirus From Your Dog Or Cat
The WHO has said that dogs and cats cannot pass the virus onto you because there is no evidence of that happening. However, it is always a good practice to wash your hands with soap and water after touching your pets as they can carry other microbes as well.
#6 – You Can Be Protected From COVID-19 From Pneumonia Vaccines
The truth is no you cannot be protected from the Coronavirus from the pneumonia vaccine. It is a different type of virus and there is a vaccine in the making for COVID-19. It is not available yet.
#5 – Rinse Your Nose With Saline As It Will Help Prevent It
Rinsing your nose with a neti pot can help you if you have a cold but not it cannot help with COVID-19 symptoms, let alone preventing the virus from coming on. And if you do decide to rinse your rose with water, be sure it is sterilized as you could end up with infections otherwise that can become fatal.
#4 – You Can Stay Protected By Eating Garlic
Even though garlic has been known to stave of microbes, the WHO makes it clear that there is evidence lacking that garlic prevents you from contracting the Coronavirus.
#3 – Sesame Oil On Your Body Will Prevent You From Catching The Virus
Sesame oil may have some healing properties when it comes to colds and other mild infections as it was a treatment that was practiced in Ayurveda. But there is no evidence to show that it will prevent you from getting COVID-19. Only social distancing and washing your hands with soap and water after going for an essential shopping errand will help you. That in addition to disinfecting surfaces.
#2 – Only Older People Are Affected by COVID-19
As was mentioned in the introduction, older people are at a higher risk category especially if they have underlying conditions. However, anyone regardless of their age that has an underlying condition will be just as affected. And even for young and healthy people, they can still be affected even though it is less likely that the virus will put them in the hospital.
#1 – Antibiotics Will Kill The Virus
Coronavirus is a virus and will not respond to antibiotics like other viruses don’t. Antibiotics kill bacteria. That is a different type of microbe.
Don’t fall for these myths. Just wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry them with a paper towel as well as staying 6 feet away from others will keep your odds very low of catching it. And please stay home unless you have to run an essential errand.
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