Myths about Covid-19 as adviced by WHO
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that is highly contagious and has affected the whole world. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness. However, it can be deadly for older people or people with existing health diseases/chronic diseases
As there is currently no cure for Covid19, the best prevention method is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.
Hygiene is an important precautionary method. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face.
Stay home and self quarantined. If there is no emergency to be outside, remain indoors as much as possible. If you need to be outside, please practise self-distancing. Self-distancing means being at least 1.5m – 2m away from someone else.
#1 Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill new coronavirus or other diseases.
#2 The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
To date, there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. 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.
#3 Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV.
To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
#4 ultraviolet disinfection lamp cannot kill the new coronavirus
UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
#5 Spraying alcohol/chlorine all over your body cannot kill the new coronavirus
No, it won’t kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
#6 regularly rinsing your nose with saline cannot help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
#7 Eating garlic cannot help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
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.
#8 Antibiotics are not effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus
No, 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.
Information extracted from : https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters