Figuring out what to believe and what not to believe about COVID-19 can be challenging in light of the deluge of information coming at us from all sources. In Tuesday’s blog, 8 Ways to Avoid COVID-19 Fake News, we offer best practices for spotting news that may be fake and doing some at-home sleuthing to confirm whether or not it is. However, it’s not just news that can mislead us. Sometimes, it’s what we think we already know.
Fortunately, the World Health Organization has not only been keeping its finger on the pulse of the misconceptions people hold about the virus, but actually maintaining a running list of those misconceptions on its Mythbusters page. Here is a summary of the COVID-19 myths that WHO wishes people would stop believing:
Myth: 5G mobile networks spread the virus
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets, WHO explains. “Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks.” In fact, COVID-19 is spreading through many countries that don’t have 5G.
Myth: Exposing yourself to heat prevents the spread of the virus
This myth has been repeated in many different forms, including:
- COVID-19 can’t spread in countries that are hot and humid
- COVID-19 won’t spread once summer comes (no one can possibly know that yet)
- The hot air from a blow-dryer will kill the virus on surfaces
- The hot air from a hand-dryer will kill the virus on your hands
- Taking a hot bath can prevent you from coming down with the illness caused by the virus.
None of this is true, nor is it true that cold weather kills the virus. You can catch COVID-19, no matter what the weather, and countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself from getting sick is to wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Myth: UV light can prevent the spread of the virus
This is a variation on the hot air myth and equally false. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize the skin, and trying to do so can cause irritation, WHO states.
Myth: Drinking alcoholic beverages can protect you from the virus
This is simply not true. Nor should any other form of alcohol be taken internally as “protection” from the virus. Other things you might think of doing to yourself to protect yourself from the virus that will not work:
- Rinsing your nose with saline
- Eating garlic
- Getting a pneumonia vaccine
- Taking antibiotics
- Taking anti-malaria drugs (as of this date, these have not been proven to prevent COVID-19).
Myth: You can catch the novel coronavirus through a mosquito bite To date, there is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Myth: You can tell if you have COVID-19 by trying to hold your breath for 10 seconds “Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any other lung disease,” WHO writes. The only reliable way to determine if you have the virus producing COVID-19 is vialab oratory test.
Myth: If you catch the virus, you will have it for life Most people who catch COVID-19 recover completely. What scientists are currently trying to determine is whether and to what extent having recovered from COVID-19 bestows immunity to re-infection.1<
Myth: Only older people and sick people are affected by COVID-19
Anyone can catch COVID-19, and anyone can become severely ill as a result. Certain pre-existing medical conditions can make a person more vulnerable to becoming severely ill. These include the following conditions that can affect people of any age:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
As you work through these challenging times, we hope you’ll find this glossary of COVID-19 terms helpful, as well as our special edition of PluggedIN, COVID-19: A Tipping Point For Remote Work. If there is any way you think we can assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us at covidresponse@exelatech.com.
