With the cases of Coronavirus surging, there is an even greater surge in the untruths that are being surrounded by the virus and the spread of it. In this article, we will throw light on these myths and conspiracy theories.
Except Antarctica, the novel coronavirus, now known as SARS-CoV-2, has spread to every continent on Earth. The virus started from Wuhan, China. From a ‘Public Health Emergency’ to a ‘Pandemic’, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially changed their classification of the situation on March 11, 2020.
Globally, the virus has been responsible for millions of infections and has been causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. The United States is the most affected country. The word “Pandemic” has instilled fear in people thereby making them gullible to misinformation and rumors.
In this special feature, we will look at some of the most common myths and dissect them.
1. Chlorine or alcohol spray on the skin kills viruses
By applying alcohol or chlorine to the body, you will only cause harm to yourself, especially if it enters the eyes or mouth. Although, they can be used to disinfect surfaces one should not use them on the skin. These products cannot kill viruses within the body.
2. Risk is only for older adults and young people
The virus doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age. It can infect everyone. Definitely, older adults and individuals with preexisting health conditions are more likely to become severely ill but that doesn’t mean, the people from other age group wouldn’t be affected by it.
3. Children are immune to the virus
Children are not immune to SARS-CoV-2. Although the number of cases have been higher in adults but children can also contract Coronavirus. Their symptoms tend to be less severe, though.
4. COVID-19 is just like common flu
SARS-CoV-2 and flu has the resemblance in terms of the symptoms such as aches, a fever, and a cough. They both can even lead to pneumonia but the profile of COVID-19 is more serious in terms of its mortality rate which ranges between 1-3%. Although scientists are still working out the exact statistics, it is likely to be many times higher than that of seasonal flu.
5. Everyone with COVID-19 dies
This statement out and out lacks fact as it is fatal for a small percentage of people. As per a report, it was mentioned that 80.9% of COVID-19 cases were mild. The report was produced by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Other than this, the WHO also cited that around 80% of people will experience a relatively mild form of disease which wouldn’t even require any specialist treatment in hospital.
6. Cats and dogs spread coronavirus
There is not enough evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can infect cats and dogs. However, in Hong Kong, a Pomeranian whose owner had COVID-19 also contracted the virus. The dog did not display any symptoms.
7. Face masks always protect against coronavirus
There are different types of masks available each of which has a different purpose.
Healthcare workers prefer a professional face mask to protect themselves from infection. They use a face mask which fits around their face tightly.
Droplets can be kept at bay with Disposable and cloth masks but neither of the masks can protect against aerosolized particles. Surgical masks and N95 respirators provide greater protection, but these are reserved for healthcare workers only. Please don’t buy these for normal use and leave them for healthcare workers instead.
Along with wearing a mask, it is imperative to continue with other precautions such as not touching the face and practising physical distancing.
8. Hand dryers kill coronavirus
It is a completely baseless claim that hand dryers kill coronavirus. The hand dryers are not known to kill the coronavirus.
9. SARS-CoV-2 is just a mutated form of the common cold
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. These viruses have spiky proteins on their surface. There are the types which use humans as their primary host and cause the common cold. Other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, primarily infect animals.
Both MERS and SARS began in animals and passed into humans.
10. Spend 10 minutes with someone to catch virus
If one is spending a longer time with someone who has the virus, they are more likely to catch it but the time is not limited to 10 minutes. They can catch it in under 10 minutes as well.
11. Rinse the nose with saline to protect yourself from coronavirus
There is no evidence to suggest that a saline nose rinse protects against respiratory infections. It might reduce the symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infections, but there is no evidence to suggest that it can reduce the risk of infection.
12. You can protect yourself by gargling bleach
Bleach is corrosive and people should not and must not put it in their mouths. It can cause serious damage.
13. Antibiotics kill coronavirus
Antibiotics are known to kill bacteria, not viruses.
14. Garlic protects against coronaviruses
There is some research that shows the benefits of garlic in slowing down the growth of some species of bacteria. However, COVID-19 is caused by a virus and garlic can’t protect against Virus.
15. The virus will die off when temperatures rise in the country
There are some viruses which spread in the colder months but the opposite of it do not hold weight that they die down when the temperature rises.
16. The virus originated in a laboratory in China
This rumour has been doing rounds for a while now but there is no evidence to suggest so.
17. The outbreak began because people ate bat soup
Although scientists are confident that the virus started in animals, there is no evidence to suggest that it came from soup of any kind.
We hope we were able to debunk some popular myths for you! Did you come across any other myth regarding COVID-19, let us know in the comment section!
