Coronavirus disease and 24 Myth busters: (COVID-19) Public Safety Advice

The new coronavirus, now known as SARS-CoV-2, has spread from Wuhan, China, to every continent on Earth except Antarctica.

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially changed its classification from a public health emergency of international interest to a pandemic on March 11.

So far, the new coronavirus - currently dubbed "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" or SARS-CoV-2 card - has been responsible for more than 245,000 infections worldwide, causing more than 10,000 deaths. In the United States, the virus has affected 14,250 people and has so far caused 205 deaths.

As always, when the word "pandemic" starts to appear in the headlines, people are scared and with fear misinformation and rumors arise.

Here we will dissect some of the most common myths currently circulating on social media and beyond.

1. Spraying chlorine or alcohol on the skin kills viruses in the body

Applying alcohol or chlorine to the body can cause damage, especially if it enters the eyes or mouth. Although people can use these chemicals to disinfect surfaces, they should not be used on the skin.

These products cannot kill viruses in the body.

2. Only elderly and young people are at risk

Like other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 can infect people of all ages. However, elderly people or people with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, are more likely to become seriously ill.

3. Children cannot get COVID-19

All age groups can become infected. So far, most cases have occurred in adults, but children are not immune. In fact, preliminary evidence shows that children are equally likely to be infected, but their symptoms tend to be less severe.

4. COVID-19 is like the flu

SARS-CoV-2 causes illnesses that actually show flu-like symptoms, such as pain, fever, and cough. Likewise, both COVID-19 and influenza can be mild, severe or rarely fatal. Both can also lead to pneumonia.

However, the overall profile of COVID-19 is more severe. Estimates vary, but their mortality appears to be between ca. 1% and 3%.

Although researchers calculate the exact mortality rate, it is probably many times higher than that of seasonal flu.

5. Everyone with COVID-19 dies

This statement is false. As mentioned above, COVID-19 is fatal to only a small percentage of people.

In a recent report, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that 80.9% of COVID-19 cases were mild.

WHO also reported that approx. 80% of people will experience a relatively mild form of the disease that does not require specialized treatment in a hospital.

Mild symptoms may include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.

6. Cats and dogs spread coronavirus

Currently, there is little evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect dogs and cats. In Hong Kong, however, a Pomerania owned by COVID-19 was infected. The dog showed no symptoms.

Researchers are discussing the importance of this case for the epidemic. Eg. Says Professor Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology at the University of Nottingham, UK:

“We have to distinguish between real infections and just detect the presence of the virus. I still think it is questionable how relevant it is to the human outbreak, as most of the global outbreak was caused by human to human transmission. "

He goes on: "We need to find out more, but we don't need to panic - I doubt it can spread to another dog or human because of the low levels of the virus. The real driver of the outbreak in humans.

7. Face masks protect against coronavirus

Healthcare professionals wear professional face masks that fit snugly around the face to protect them from infections. However, disposable masks are unlikely to provide such protection.

Since these masks do not fit perfectly on the face, drops can still enter the mouth and nose. In addition, small viral particles can penetrate directly through the material.

However, if someone has a respiratory illness, wearing a mask can help protect others from getting infected.

"There is very little evidence that wearing masks protects the user from infections," Dr. Ben Killingley, a consultant in emergency medicine and infectious diseases at London University Hospital, England.

"In addition, wearing masks can give a false sense of security and may lead to other infection control methods being ignored, such as hand hygiene."

The WHO recommends that people caring for someone suspected of COVID-19 wear a mask. In such cases, the use of a mask is effective only if the person is regularly washing their hands with alcohol or soap and water.

When using a mask, it is also important to wear and dispose of it properly.

8. Hand dryers kill coronavirus

Hand dryers do not kill coronavirus. The best way to protect yourself and others from the virus is to wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based soap.

9. SARS-CoV-2 is just a mutated form of cold

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses with proteins that peak at the surface. Some of these viruses use humans as their primary host and cause colds. Other coronaviruses, like SARS-CoV-2, mainly infect animals.

Both Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) started in animals and were transmitted to humans.

10. You need to be with someone for 10 minutes to get the virus

The longer someone stays with an infected person, the more likely they are to catch the virus, but it is still possible to catch it in less than 10 minutes.

11. Washing your nose with saline water protects against coronavirus

There is no evidence that washing the sore nose protects against infections of the respiratory tract. Some studies suggest that this technique can reduce the symptoms of acute infections of the upper respiratory tract, but researchers have not found that it can reduce the risk of infection.

12. You can protect yourself by gargling bleach

There are no circumstances in which the bleach gargle can benefit your health. Bleach is corrosive and can cause serious damage.

13. Antibiotics kill coronavirus

Antibiotics kill only bacteria; they don't kill viruses.

14. Thermal scanners can diagnose coronavirus

Thermal scanners can detect if someone has a fever. However, other conditions, such as seasonal flu, can also produce fever.

In addition, the symptoms of COVID-19 can occur 2 to 10 days after infection, which means that a person infected with the virus may have a normal temperature for a few days before the onset of the fever.

15. Garlic protects against coronavirus

Some studies suggest that garlic may be slowing the growth of some bacteria. However, COVID-19 is caused by a virus and there is nothing to suggest that garlic can protect people from COVID-19.

16. Packages from China can spread coronavirus

From previous studies of similar coronaviruses, including those that cause SARS and MERS and are similar to SARS-CoV-2, researchers believe the virus cannot survive on letters or packaging for a long period of time.

The CDC explains that "due to the low survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely to be a very low risk of dispersion of products or packaging sent over a period of days or weeks at room temperature".

17. Home remedies can cure and protect against COVID-19

No home remedy can protect against COVID-19, including vitamin C, essential oils, silver colloid, sesame oil, garlic, fish cleanser and a sip of water every 15 minutes.

The best approach is to adopt a good hand washing program and avoid places where there may be sick people.

18. You can get coronavirus by eating Chinese food in the United States.

No, you can not.

19. You can get coronavirus in your urine and feces

This is unlikely to be true, but the jury is currently out. According to Professor John Edmunds, from the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, England:

“It's not a very comforting thought, but every time you swallow, you swallow mucus from the upper airways. In fact, this is an important defense mechanism. This sweeps viruses and bacteria into the intestine, where they are denatured under acidic stomach conditions. "

“With modern, highly sensitive detection mechanisms, we can detect these viruses in feces. Generally, viruses that we can detect in this way are not contagious to others, as they have been destroyed by our intestines. "

However, it is noteworthy that some studies conclude that SARS-CoV-2-like viruses may persist in the stool. A recent research letter in JAMA also concludes that SARS-CoV-2 is present in feces.

20. The virus dies when temperatures rise in the spring

Some viruses, such as colds and flu viruses, spread more easily during the colder months, but that doesn't stop them completely when conditions get milder. Currently, researchers do not know how temperature changes will affect the behavior of SARS-CoV-2.

21. Coronavirus is the most deadly virus known

Although SARS-CoV-2 appears to be more severe than influenza, it is not the most deadly virus that humans have been exposed to. Others, like Ebola, have higher mortality rates.

22. Influenza and pneumonia vaccines protect against COVID-19

As SARS-CoV-2 differs from other viruses, no existing vaccine protects against infections.

23. The virus originates from a laboratory in China

Despite the rumors on the internet, there is no evidence that this is the case. In fact, a recent study shows that the virus is a natural product of evolution.

Some researchers believe that SARS-CoV-2 may have sprung from pangolins to humans. Others believe it could have passed us off the bat, as was the case with SARS.

24. The outbreak began because people were eating bat soup

Although scientists are convinced that the virus started in animals, there is no evidence that it came from any kind of soup.

For More Information on Coronavirus Myths and other related info, you can check the WHO website.