Corona Virus Myths and Misconceptions

FALSE. Despite what internet conspiracy theorists might suggest, it is safe to receive post from China. The Word Health Organization has studied how long viruses survive on letters or packages and says those receiving mail from China are not at risk.

2) All hand sanitisers can protect you from infection

FALSE. In the case of hand sanitisers, not all are created equal. They are extremely useful when travelling or commuting, and because they don’t require a constant trip to a sink they are easier to make a habit of using frequently. But if your portable cleanser contains less than 60 per cent alcohol – or, worse, none – it won’t offer much protection at all. Expert advice at the PHE and the World Health Organization states that hand sanitisers must contain at least 60 per cent alcohol to be truly effective.

3) Pets can spread the new coronavirus

Probably not to humans. One dog in China contracted a “low-level infection” from its owner, who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, meaning dogs may be vulnerable to picking up the virus from people, according to The South China Morning Post. The infected Pomeranian has not fallen ill or shown symptoms of disease, and no evidence suggests that the animal could infect humans.

4) Kids can’t catch the coronavirus

FALSE. Children can definitely catch COVID-19, though initial reports suggested fewer cases in children compared with adults. For example, a Chinese study from Hubei province released in February found that of more than 44,000 cases of COVID-19, about only 2.2% involved children under age 19.

FALSE.As we have mentioned above, COVID-19 is only

fatal for 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.

6) You can protect yourself by gargling bleach

FALSE. There are no circumstances in which gargling bleach might benefit your health. Bleach is corrosive and can cause serious damage.

7) Home remedies can cure and protect against COVID-19

FALSE. No home remedies can protect against COVID-19, including vitamin C, essential oils, silver colloid, sesame oil, garlic, and sipping water every 15 minutes.

The best approach is to adopt a good handwashing regimen and to avoid places where there may be unwell people.

8) Covering up with DIY masks and protection is a good idea

FALSE. The web is awash with images of people wearing everything from face masks made from fruit to full-face helmets forged from recycled water bottles. Water bottles and plastic bags worn over the head pose a potential suffocation risk.

FALSE. Thermal scanners can detect whether someone has a fever. However, other conditions, such as seasonal flu, can also produce fever. In addition, symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2–10 days after infection, which means that someone infected with the virus could have a normal temperature for a few days before a fever begins.

10) You should avoid public transport or large gatherings

FALSE. unless you’ve recently returned from a place with significant outbreaks or have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of Covid-19. The NHS currently isn’t advising that anyone stop using public transport unless there’s a good chance that they have come into contact with the disease.