Coronavirus: 15 Myths About COVID-19 You Must Not fall For

Coronavirus myths: Can eating garlic help you evade coronavirus? Or can hand dryers kill the virus? These myth-busters will help you get your facts right about the COVID-19 infection.

Bus passengers are given gel alcohol, as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, at a transfer station in Quito, on March 13, 2020. (Photo by Rodrigo BUENDIA / AFP)

New Delhi: As countries across globe remain beleaguered by the infamous coronavirus pandemic, the rumour-mill has churned out numerous medical myths about the COVID-19 virus. ‘The infection will minimise as weather turns humid, hand dryers can kill the coronavirus – are some of such myths doing rounds.  The unchecked social media forwards have led to a large section of the world believing and practising measures which are not actually helpful in evading the threat of coronavirus. Here are some of the myth-busters shared by the World Health Organisation to dispel the rumours:  

• People of all ages CAN be infected by the coronavirus. 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.
• Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the coronavirus.
• The coronavirus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
• The coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
• There is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the coronavirus.
• Taking a hot bath DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus
• Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the coronavirus
• Ultraviolet light SHOULD NOT be used for sterilization and can cause skin irritation
• Thermal scanners CAN detect if people have a fever but CANNOT detect whether or not someone has the coronavirus
• Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body WILL NOT kill viruses that have already entered your body
• Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, DO NOT provide protection against the coronavirus.
• There is NO evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the coronavirus.
• Garlic is healthy but there is NO evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the coronavirus.
• Antibiotics DO NOT work against viruses, antibiotics only work against bacteria.
• To date, there is NO specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the coronavirus.

(data by WHO)