Top 12 Coronavirus Myths Debunked: How Covid 19 Spreads & How To Protect Yourself During The Pandemic

Do you know in how many ways people can get infected with the novel coronavirus? Aren’t you frustrated with the amount of misinformation spread over the internet and social media about the COVID-19? Then, let’s explore the top 12 myths about the coronavirus debunked by the scientific facts and evidence.

Myth #1: 5G mobile networks spread COVID-19!

Well, viruses can’t travel on radio waves or mobile networks. In fact, COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that don’t even have 5G mobile networks. Let’s see how the new coronavirus spreads:

The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person among those in close contact. This human-to-human transmission is, in most cases, through the small respiratory droplets released from the nose or mouth when a person who has COVID-19 is coughing, sneezing, exhaling, or even talking to someone within about 2 meters or 6 feet. These droplets land on nearby objects or surfaces which are, then, touched by others, who may at some point touch their mouth, nose, or eyes, and catch COVID-19. Similarly, you might get the virus directly from the person with COVID-19 if you inhale their respiratory droplets or if, for example, these droplets reach your eye when the infected person is talking to you.

Evidence shows that the novel coronavirus can also be spread to people by those who are infected but are pre-symptomatic (that is, they haven’t yet developed symptoms) or asymptomatic (that is, they never develop symptoms). And also, keep in mind that COVID-19 can have a long incubation period, and the infected person may not show any symptoms for up to 14 days after exposure to the disease. These are the reasons why it is crucial to practice proper social or physical distancing if you really have to go out during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended to stay more than 1 meter or 3 feet away from others in public, and some health organizations even advise people to keep a minimum physical distance of 2 meters or 6 feet from others to stay safe.

So, no! 5G mobile networks don’t spread the coronavirus!

Myth #2: Antibiotics can be used to prevent or treat COVID-19!

To debunk this myth, first, we need to know what exactly the coronavirus is. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses named for their appearance under electron microscopes; they have protein structures (or spikes) on their surfaces, making them look like a “crown”, which in Latin is “corona”, hence the name “coronavirus”. Some coronaviruses can cause illnesses in animals and humans. Rarely, humans can get infected by animal coronaviruses which may then spread to other people. In humans, some of the coronaviruses cause typically mild respiratory illnesses, similar to the common cold. But these viruses have also been associated with more severe diseases, including the “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)” and the “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)”. A newly identified coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 or the “novel coronavirus” is responsible for the outbreak of the infectious respiratory illness which is called COVID-19. COVID-19 stands for the coronavirus disease of 2019. The outbreak of COVID-19 began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and the situation is evolving daily.

So, No! Antibiotics can’t cure COVID-19, because antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, and COVID-19 is caused by a virus! However, some hospitalized COVID-19 patients might receive antibiotics for bacterial co-infections.

Myth #3: The flu vaccine can protect you against COVID-19!

You might say: “I got a flu shot. So, I’m good!” No, you’re not! The flu vaccine is effective against the influenza family of the viruses and doesn’t immunize your body against the coronaviruses! So far, no vaccine or antiviral medicine has been developed to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, a lot of research has been dedicated to find a vaccine or treatment, and some possible options are under investigation.

Myth #4: Eat garlic to prevent catching COVID-19!

Well, garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. But, so far, there has been no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Myth #5: Rinse your nose regularly with saline to prevent infection with the new coronavirus!

While rinsing your nose with saline might help recovering more quickly from the common cold, there is no evidence that it can help with the respiratory infections such as COVID-19. A lot of people are interested in traditional or home remedies. Although some of these remedies may provide comfort and help relieve the symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that such remedies can prevent or cure this disease.

Myth #6: The novel coronavirus only affects older people! Younger people are safe!

This is also NOT true! People of all ages can catch COVID-19. Older people and those with pre-existing health issues are just more vulnerable to becoming severely sick if they get infected by the new coronavirus.

Myth #7: You may get the coronavirus through a mosquito bite!

Wrong! There has been no evidence so far on transmission of the novel coronavirus to humans by mosquitos.

Myth #8: Take a hot bath to protect yourself against the new coronavirus!

Taking a hot bath doesn’t increase the internal temperature of your body, no matter how hot the water is! So, unfortunately, it won’t prevent catching COVID-19 and won’t kill the coronavirus inside your body!

Myth #9: The new coronavirus dies in cold weather and snow!

No! There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the novel coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. In fact, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS with all kinds of climates.

Myth #10: Drinking alcohol can kill the coronavirus in your body!

Wrong! Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can in fact even increase your risk of health issues.

Myth #11: If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds or longer without coughing or feeling discomfort, you don’t have COVID-19!

That is also not true! Infection with the coronavirus is diagnosed based on the symptoms and can only be confirmed with a laboratory test known as PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction. You can’t confirm it with a breathing exercise!

Speaking of the COVID-19 symptoms, let’s see what they really are. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Other symptoms include muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, unexplained loss of taste or smell, headache, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia in the lungs. However, not all COVID-19 patients show all these symptoms, and even some patients remain asymptomatic, that is, they never develop symptoms and don't feel unwell.

Although for many COVID-19 patients, the symptoms are usually mild, this disease can lead to serious respiratory problems, kidney failure, and death, in more severe cases. In fact, around 1 out of every 6 COVID-19 patients becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.

Myth #12: If you catch the new coronavirus, you will have it for life!

No! Most of the COVID-19 patients can recover and eliminate the virus from their bodies. However, while about 80% of the people who get the COVID-19 recover from the disease on their own without needing special treatment, the risk of developing serious illness is high for older people (typically over the age of 65), and those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical problems such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease, and cancer. The general advice is that if you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you should call your doctor and seek medical attention.

So, what can we do to protect ourselves from COVID-19?

1.      Practice proper personal hygiene and handwashing.

Regularly wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds each time, especially after using the bathrooms, before handling food, and after touching objects such as doorknobs and handles, countertops, elevator buttons, light switches, shopping carts, and card payment machines. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.

2.      Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Depending on the temperature, type of surface, and humidity of the environment, the coronavirus can survive for 2 or 3 days on some surfaces! Your hands may pick up the virus from these surfaces and transfer it to your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth. So, if you touched any surfaces in public, it is recommended that you avoid touching your face before washing your hands properly with soap and water.

3.      Practice respiratory hygiene.

Cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or use a tissue and then throw it immediately in a closed bin. Then wash your hands.

4.      Stay at home and avoid social gatherings.

To protect yourself and reduce the spread of COVID-19, stay at home as much as possible and avoid gatherings in groups. If you have to go out, for example, to buy groceries or work, do so while practicing proper social and physical distancing and handwashing measures. After coming back from grocery shopping and handling and storing the purchased products, wash your hands thoroughly. Wash the fruits and vegetables with clean water the same way you would in any other circumstances.

5.      Avoid physical contact with others.

To protect yourself and others, avoid the greetings that include touching others, like shaking hands or hugging. Instead practice safe greetings such as a wave, a nod, or a bow.

6.      Stay informed and follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

Keep yourself updated with the latest COVID-19 development information through reliable health organizations as well as your national and local public health authorities and follow their guidelines.

And, what should you do if you or someone in your home become ill?

If you begin to feel unwell and even experience mild symptoms of COVID-19 such as headache or slightly runny nose, stay at home and self-isolate until you recover. Do not go to work, school, or other public places. Rest, drink a lot of fluids, and at nutritious food. However, if you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider, but call ahead to get directed to the right medical facility and prevent possible spread of the disease.

If someone under your care has symptoms or confirmed COVID-19:

·        Wear a medical mask when attending to the sick person.

·        Practice proper hand hygiene, especially after any kind of contact with the sick person.

·        Clean and disinfect the surfaces frequently touched by the sick person.

·        Use dedicated dishes, cups, eating utensils, towels, and bedliners for the sick person and wash them regularly with soap and water.

·        Monitor their health and call your healthcare provider if the sick person gets worse or experiences difficulty breathing.

There you have it: 12 myths about the coronavirus and how you can protect yourself against COVID-19! If you’ve heard of any other myths about COVID-19, leave a comment below!

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Stay safe and wash your hands!