COVID-19: WHO demystifies 14 common 'lies' about deadly disease
- Amid the outbreak and spread of the new Coronavirus are myths and beliefs held by people about how it can be prevented or cured
- Many have shared some of these myths that have further heightened people's fears about the dreaded COVID-19
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has debunked 14 common myths about the COVID-19
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Amidst the outbreak and spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, many have shared unvaried information which thrived on myths and popular beliefs held by people about the dreaded COVID-19.
Many have shared some of these misconceptions on social media, which have further heightened people’s fears and panic among many.
Against these myths, the World Health Organisation has outlined some of the 14 common myths about the COVID-19 which has claimed the lives of over 10,000 people around the world as at the time this was being published.
Below are some of the myths the WHO has debunked and must be debunked by all.
1. COVID-19 can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
The COVID-19 can be transmitted in all areas including areas with hot and humid temperatures.
Regardless of the weather, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area which has recorded COVID-19 cases.
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2. Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
The WHO has debunked the myth that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases.
The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
3. Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
4. The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
Until now, there’s no evidence that suggest the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
5. No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the COVID-19.
Hand-dryers cannot protect you from COVID-19. To protect yourself, frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
6. Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new Coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
7. How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new Coronavirus?
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus.
However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever.
This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected, become sick and develop a fever.
8. Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new Coronavirus?
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.
Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).
Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
9 Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new Coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
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Although these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
10. Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new Coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold.
However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
11. Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new Coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties.
However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
12. Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). 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.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
13. Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
14. No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?
To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care.
Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.
YEN.com.gh previously reported that in a bid to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has donated health items to the James Camp Prison at Roman Ridge in Accra.
The health materials include veronica buckets, sanitisers, hand washing soap, toilet rolls and detergents.
According to the prominent Ghanaian actor turned politician, the benevolent gesture is to help officers and inmates at the James Camp Prison in Roman Ridge combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
This presentation comes after Dumelo recently gifted hand sanitisers and a list of other health materials to electorates of the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency to fight the coronavirus. John Dumelo handed the items to five police stations across the constituency on March 17, 2020.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
