14 Common Myths About Covid 19 that Everyone Should Know

Myths and Misinformation About COVID-19

The World Health Organization identified early in the COVID-19 outbreak the global wave of misinformation about the virus and dubbed the problem the “infodemic.” The WHO “Q & A” page on COVID-19 is updated frequently and addresses myths and rumors currently circulating.

According to the WHO website, the agency has reached out to social media players such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and Weibo, the microblogging site in China. WHO has worked with these sites to curb the “infodemic” of misinformation and has used these sites for public education outreach on COVID-19. “Myth-busting” infographics posted on a WHO web page are also reposted on major social media sites.

The CDC has followed with its own “Frequently Asked Questions” page to address questions and rumors. State health agencies have put up COVID-19 pages to address public concerns and offer advice on prevention. The Maryland Department of Health web page directly addresses dangerous misinformation: “Do not stigmatize people of any specific ethnicities or racial background. Viruses do not target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds. Stay informed and seek information from reliable, official sources. Be wary of myths, rumors, and misinformation circulating online and elsewhere. Health information shared through social media is frequently inaccurate unless coming from an official, reliable sources such as the CDC, MDH or local health departments.”

The COVID-19 outbreak is a global pandemic, and with that comes a lot of false information on the internet. There are many myths about COVID-19 that have been circulating through social media. Here are some of the most common ones, according to the World Health Organization.

Myth #1: Cold weather kills novel coronavirus

Truth: The CDC and the WHO have said this from the start: the most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is with frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. The WHO says there is “no reason to believe cold weather can kill the new coronavirus,” or other diseases, for that matter. 

Myth #2: COVID-19 cannot be transmitted in hotter, more humid climates

Truth: Protective measures, like proper handwashing and social distancing, need to be taken no matter where you live. COVID-19 can be transmitted anywhere, regardless of how hot or humid the air is. 

Myth #3: Taking a hot bath prevents you from getting COVID-19

Truth: This myth has been stemming from the false idea that cold and hot temperatures can kill the virus. Just like the cold weather and hot and humid climate myths, this is not true. Your body temperature stays relatively stable even when you take an extremely hot bath. This just leaves you at risk for a burn. Still, the best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to wash your hands often. This prevents viruses on your hands from infecting you when you touch your face.

Myth #4: Coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites

Truth: As temperatures continue to warm as we dive into spring, mosquitoes will become more common again. That typically brings a risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus, but the increasing population of mosquitoes does not create another channel in which you can get COVID-19. From the WHO, “there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.” This is because the new coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets when someone with the coronavirus sneezes or coughs. This is why social distancing and frequent hand washing is so important. 

Myth #5: Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus 

Truth: The heat from a hand dryer alone is not enough to kill the new coronavirus. However, in combination with washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, this method is very effective. You can also dry your hands after using paper towels, or instead use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

Myth #6: UV lamps kill the new coronavirus

Truth: It’s too soon to tell whether UV light is an effective way to kill the new coronavirus, and the World Health Organization does not suggest its use. It should especially not be used on hands or your body as it can cause irritation. UV light has been known to kill the flu virus, however.

Myth #7: Thermal scanners can detect everyone who is infected with coronavirus

Truth: Thermal scanners, like thermometers, can detect people who have a higher-than-normal body temperature due to infection from COVID-19. But not everyone who is infected with the coronavirus has a fever yet. According to the WHO, “it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.”

Myth #8: Spraying alcohol and chlorine all over yourself kills the coronavirus

Truth: This will not cure you of COVID-19 if it has already entered your body. Spraying alcohol and chlorine all over your body can be harmful if it gets into your eyes or mouth. The World Health Organization says they both can be used to disinfect surfaces, however. 

Myth #9: Getting a pneumonia vaccine protects against COVID-19

Truth: The WHO says, “Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.” COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, yes, but it requires its own vaccine, which is in the testing phase right now. 

Myth #10: Rinsing your nose and gargling with saline solution helps prevent COVID-19 infection

Truth: The World Health Organization says there is some evidence that regularly rinsing your nose with saline can help you get over the common cold more quickly. But this does not apply to COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. The same applies to gargle with a saline solution. 

Myth #11: Eating garlic helps prevent COVID-19 infection

Truth: There is no scientific evidence that eating garlic prevents you from being infected with the novel coronavirus. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, it does have some antimicrobial properties. 

Myth #12: The coronavirus only affects older people, not younger ones

Truth: The World Health Organization says people of all ages need to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19. The best ways are frequent hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer, and social distancing. However, people who are older are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the new coronavirus. People with preexisting conditions are also at an increased risk for more severe complications, such as people with heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. 

Myth #13: Antibiotics prevent and treat COVID-19

Truth: Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria, not viruses, which is what COVID-19 is. This myth may have stemmed from the fact some people who are hospitalized for coronavirus have received antibiotics, but that’s because bacterial “co-infections” are possible with COVID-19, according to the WHO. The antibiotic does not treat the virus itself. 

Myth #14: There are medicines to prevent and treat coronavirus 

Truth: The World Health Organization is helping with research and development efforts to find treatments for coronavirus, however, they are still under investigation, and must be tested through clinical trials. Right now, there is no medication recommended to prevent or treat COVID-19. You can use medication to relieve symptoms, but those with severe symptoms from coronavirus should seek help from a medical professional.

What’s Not Myth: Coronavirus, the Sun, Fresh Air & Vitamin C & D 

When new and virulent diseases emerge, such as SARS and COVID-19, the race begins to find new vaccines and treatments for those affected. As the current crisis unfolds, governments are enforcing quarantine and isolation, and public gatherings are being discouraged. Health officials took the same approach 100 years ago, when influenza was spreading around the world. The results were mixed. But records from the 1918 pandemic suggest one technique for dealing with influenza─ little-known today─ was effective. Some hard-won experience from the greatest pandemic in recorded history could help us in the weeks and months ahead.

Put simply, medics found that severely ill flu patients nursed outdoors recovered better than those treated indoors. A combination of fresh air and sunlight seems to have prevented deaths among patients; and infections among medical staff. There is scientific support for this. Research shows that outdoor air is a natural disinfectant. Fresh air can kill the flu virus and other harmful germs. Equally, sunlight is germicidal and there is now evidence it can kill the flu virus.

Coronavirus and the Sun: a Lesson from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Look at this way… 

It is the spring of 2020 and the stock market has plunged 30%─ wiping out over $10 trillion in U.S. wealth, a national emergency has been declared over coronavirus pandemic, school and businesses are closed indefinitely, short term unemployment is expected to go over 20%… and the FED is considering a Trillion dollar bailout amid coronavirus meltdown.

The good thing is, it’s not the end of the world.

The Sun will rise tomorrow, clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe will be plentiful… and with a roof over our head and food in our belly, we all should pray and count our blessings. Having a family or friends to love, food on the table, a half or quarter tank of gas, and clean clothes to dress our children should be considered the “New Rich and Healthy”.

Let us all pray for everyone! God will heal our land!

[Curated content based on excerpts from posts, blogs, media articles, and sponsored research]