12/03/2020
Debunking myths about the coronavirus.
Children are the most susceptible group to the virus.
This is simply not true. While children can get infected, the majority of people who get infected are over the age of 65 and have chronic diseases like heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. When infected, children are likely to have less severe symptoms.
Most people who get infected will need intensive medical care to save their lives.
Approximately 80%+ of cases do not require intervention at all as the symptoms of the virus are self limiting and heal on their own.
Everyone who gets infected dies.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that 80.9% of infections were mild. Newest estimates conclude that the virus is fatal in approximately 3-3.4% of cases.
Cats and dogs spread coronavirus.
There is currently very little evidence that cats or dogs can contract the virus. So far, there has only been one reported infection in a dog and the dog had no symptoms and cleared the virus spontaneously.
Face masks are the best possible protection.
Most people do not wear masks correctly, and disposable masks are loose and do not form a tight seal around the mouth. They basically confer no protection. Plus face masks confer a false sense of security and make people feel that they no longer need to wash their hands.
Hand dryers kill coronavirus.
This is false. You must wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol.
Drinking alcohol prevents the coronavirus.
Nice try, but no. In fact, 44 people have died from drinking bootleg liquor in an attempt to kill coronavirus in Iran.
This is a gastrointestinal infection that necessitates purchasing of mass amounts of toilet paper for potentially severe diarrhea.
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that very rarely causes diarrhea. Do not go out and buy massive amounts of toilet paper out of fear that because it is manufactured in China that there will be global shortages, because guess what the virus doesn’t live long on surfaces, it is an airborne virus.
Antibiotics kill coronaviruses.
Antibiotics DO NOT KILL VIRUSES. Do not take antibiotics for this or any other virus EVER.
You can catch coronavirus from eating Chinese food.
This is not a food borne illness.
You can catch coronavirus from urine and f***s.
Urine is sterile unless you have a UTI, and this is not a disease spread by the fecal-oral route. This is an illness spread by respiratory droplets.
COVID-19 is the deadliest virus we’ve ever seen.
Um, ebola anyone?
The virus was created by the Chinese government.
No, the virus likely spread from either bats or smuggled pangolins.
Flu and pneumonia vaccines protect against coronaviruses.
No in fact, there is some evidence that taking a flu shot can increase the risk of coronaviruses.
Black people cannot get the virus. Christians cannot get the virus.
Stop. The virus can infect anyone.
Drinking bleach can control the virus.
STAHP. Don’t be that guy.
Spraying alcohol or bleach on your body will kill coronavirus in your body.
Nope.
Rinsing with saline prevents the COVID-19.
No. Saline rinses can reduce the duration of the common cold, but are not known to prevent infection.
Oh. . . I could just keep going on and on. Be sure you read my other posts about how to prevention the spread of COVID-19. Spoiler alert: wash your hands.
