7 Myths Surrounding COVID-19 That One Should Avoid

Jul 03, 2020 (0) comment , ,

Despite belonging to the extended family of coronaviruses that have been causing cough and cold to human beings since time immemorial, the Covid-19 is often referred to as novel coronavirus. This is due to the fact that unlike other coronaviruses, it exhibits certain unique features that are new. Moreover, unlike previous ones, the cure for infections caused due to Covid-19 is neither known nor fully confirmed.

This is the reason why many people continue to be misled by information they receive through social media or information sharing tools such as Whatsapp. If consumed without a pinch of salt, they can lead to devastating consequences for their health and in certain cases, death.

In this blog, Secure Cover highlights certain myths surrounding Covid-19 and why it is important for an individual to rely only on credible sources for information regarding the deadly disease.

Myth No. 1: Drinking Alcohol helps prevent Covid-19 infection

Reality: This misunderstanding stems from the fact that sanitizing hands with sanitizers with over 60% alcohol helps to destroy the virus. While it is true that alcohol like many other hydrocarbon compounds kill germs & infection causing bacteria when they come in direct contact with them, it does not prevent a person from getting infected by Covid-19 virus if they drink lots of alcohol. This is because, the alcohol in blood does not prevent the growth and spread of Covid-19 virus in body that mostly targets respiratory system causing difficulty in breathing and may even lead to death.

Myth No. 2: Heat kills virus so exposing oneself to extreme heat would kill Covid-19 virus

Reality: While extreme heat does destroy viruses, exposing one’s body to extreme heat however doesn’t destroy the virus as the human body, irrespective of external temperature maintains a steady body temperature between 36.50 to 37.50 Celsius (97.7 to 99.50 Fahrenheit) through sweating and other means. The body temperature of even those suffering from fever i.e. 37.50 to 38.30 Celsius (99.5 to 100.90 Fahrenheit) is not enough to kill the virus. However, people are advised to eat only well cooked food and avoid eating raw food that is not properly washed.

Myth No. 3: Taking Cholroquine or Hydroxichloroquine tablets will help prevent Covid-19 infection

Reality: Certain news reports about the effectiveness the use of anti-Malarial drugs such as Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine in treating Covid-19 patients has led to the myth that if one consumes them, it will prevent oneself from getting infected by Covid-19. While it has been found that in certain cases, they were quite effective in treating those who are already infected by Covid-19 virus, there are no confirmed peer reviewed studies that prove that taking those drugs would prevent a person from getting infected by the deadly virus. Even if one decides to take those tablets, he or she is strongly advised to take them only after consulting a doctor or a certified medical practitioner.

Myth No. 4: If you have Covid-19 once, you won’t have it again

Reality: This misunderstanding stems from the fact that certain infections like Chickenpox helps develop an immune system that prevents recurrence of such disease. However, there is no credible confirmation of the claim that those suffering from Covid-19 will not be affected by it in near future. One must understand that like other coronaviruses such as those that cause common cold, Covid-19 might also infect a person again in future. Unless there is credible and confirmed evidence supported by medical research, one should not believe this claim and should continue to take precautions to prevent oneself from the virus.

Myth No. 5: Covid-19 spreads through air. That is why one should wear a mask

Reality: Luckily so far, there is no evidence that Covid-19 is airborne disease. The only way a Covid-19 virus transfers from one person to another is through the transfer of virus laden saliva of an infected person to a healthy person, if he or she inhales the cough droplets present in the air. Most transmission occur when a person unknowingly touches the surfaces that have those virus laden cough droplets and then touches one’s mouth, nose or eyes with that hand. This helps the virus to enter the healthy person’s body. That is why it is important to wear a mask while venturing out or while attending someone who is infected by Covid-19.

Myth No. 6: Young and healthy have no reason to worry

Reality: Although it was initially observed that Covid-19 mostly turned fatal for those who were either old or had pre-existing conditions, later there have been found that the young and healthy face same level of threat as anyone else. There have been reports of even those with perfect health succumbing to this deadly disease.

Myth No. 7: Hand sanitizers are more effective than soap in destroying the virus

Reality: Some people have this misgiving that soaps are less effective in dealing with spread of Covid-19 and that only hand sanitizers can help prevent the spread of this disease. This has led to many people hoarding hand sanitizers of all types. The truth however is that soaps are as effective in sanitizing hands as a sanitizer. This is because the soap contains molecules that dissolve the fatty bi-layer that cover the virus, thereby taking away its protective shield and consequently, destroying the virus. The hand sanitizer on the other hand will not be effective in destroying the virus if it doesn’t contain over 60 percent of alcohol.

Let’s Wrap Up!

In this age of information technology, one is as exposed to harmful information as a virus or a bacteria. Therefore, before believing whatever information, including ways to get rid of Covid-19, one receives through social media messages on Twitter, Facebook or Whatsapp, one should first confirm it with experts. This is because, doing things based on unverified and wrong information is as dangerous as not taking any precaution against Covid-19. When it comes to preventive measure and cure, one is advised to solely rely on credible sources of information.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is based on personal research of the writer. Readers are advised not to solely rely on the information given in this blog and consult experts and medical practitioners before taking the content of his blog at its face value. Neither Secure Cover nor the writer will be held responsible for any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the content of this blog.






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