10 Myths and Wrong facts about Covid-19

SARS-CoV-2 infection which is caused by one of the members of CORONA virus family (COVID-19) is a lethal viral infection, emerged in CHINA previously at the end of 2019 and busted throughout the whole world like fire in the bush. World Health Organization have given some precautionary measures to be followed by public to save them from catching this viral infection. Different countries around the world impose lockdown over its nation and to follow strict SOPs which is the only solution seems to control the escalation of this Covid-19. Some wrong information related to COVID-19 infection is also revolving around the internet which is misleading people and some people are actually following the false myths and facts to protect them from catching infection which may be dangerous for them Here I will discuss some common myths and wrong facts circulating throughout the globe which is also declared false by WHO.

1. Eating garlic will prevent you from catching Covid-19 infection
No, this fact is absolutely wrong because there is no scientific evidence present which support that eating garlic can prevent us from getting SARS-CoV-2. World Health Organization (WHO) also declared that it will not help anyone to protect them from corona while eating garlics. Although it has some antimicrobial properties which may help to improve and strengthen our immune system. It is also used to lower the cholesterol level and to control blood pressure but it is not able to fight against contagious coronavirus.

2. Kids and teenagers are safe from covid-19 infection
No, every person young or old is susceptible from catching Covid-19 infection if they contracted with any source viral transmission. There is yet no scientific knowledge proven which ascertain this myth. However, kids and teenagers have strong immune system than older people, that’s they can fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection more efficiently. Even older people above 60 are also recovering from viral infection. Death ratio is high in the people who previously have some sort of diseases like asthma, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disorders.

3. Corona virus is killed by drinking disinfectants and alcohol
Disinfectants have the ability to inactivate or kill microorganisms from the inert surfaces. Usually, hand sanitizers are used to free viral particles from the skin of hands only but some people are using it on the body to protect themselves against virus based on the myths that it might disinfect their whole body. It contains such substances which are harmful for eyes and can also cause skin rash. World Health Organization also revealed that drinking disinfectants can also damage mucous membrane in the mouth.
Effects of drinking isopropyl alcohol:

• May damage Central Nervous System
• Breathing problem
• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting

So, drinking or spraying alcohol and disinfectants would not be able to kill the virus if it already entered inside of your body.

4. Sunlight and hot weather can kill virus
World Health Organization says that exposure to sunlight and hot weather can not help to kill corona virus. Even taking a hot bath will not kill virus if one person is infected with Covid-19. Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India and Arizona where weather is now extremely hot are still affected with virus. So, this myth declared wrong by scientists and WHO.

5. UV light disinfection can kill virus from body
Some hospitals and labs in the U.S and other countries are using UV lamps to disinfect the viral particles from the surfaces of operating theatres and laboratories. Although it is useful to clean the surfaces with UV light because it inhibits the activity of microbes, viruses and spores but it is dangerous to expose skin against ultraviolet light.
Harmful effects of UV light for human body which;

• Damages skin cells leading towards Skin cancer
• Slows down the activity of immune system by triggering WBC’s
• Results in photokeratitis, a condition in which eyes burn and becomes red.

 6. Corona virus could spread from pets
As we all know that Covid-19 is one of the mutated forms of Corona viridae family somehow transformed from bats into humans but it is uncertain that it could be transform or spread from domestic pets into humans. Although WHO reveals that there is no evidence on which they can say that pets are a source of transmission of Covid-19. Some bacterial species can be passed from pets to human beings e.g. E.coli which can results into bacterial infection. However, a cat in the UK is the first animal tested positive for Covid-19 after contacted with its infected owner.

7. Wearing any mask can limit oxygen level
No, it is one of the biggest misconceptions travelling around the internet. People are claiming that wearing masks can cut off their oxygen but scientists and doctors proved that wearing any kind of masks e.g. N95 does not limits the oxygen level and does not related to CO 2 poisoning. Doctors say that it might be difficult for the people to wear it because they feel uncomfortable. You can also check it through oximeter by putting it on your finger while wearing a mask, you can see it does not limit your oxygen level as proven by a doctor in the video.

8. Covid-19 infection could be treated by pneumonia vaccines
No doubt Covid-19 is a respiratory infection which damages lungs but it is wrong to say that it could be treated with pneumonia vaccines e.g. pneumococcal vaccine, which is generally used in pneumonia infection. World Health Organization reveals that this is a new virus which cannot be treated with pneumonia shots and researchers are still doing vaccine trials which may take a year.

9. Thermal scanners are helping to diagnose viral infections
Thermal scanners are used to diagnose high fevers in the patients who are infected with covid-19 but at the same time it is not able to detect infection in people who have contracted with Covid-19 and yet they are not showing symptoms. WHO explains that when a person infected with Corona virus, it takes 2-10 days to show its symptoms e.g. high fever, cough and breath shortage. It is also stated that normal flu also has the same symptoms like Covid-19 so thermal scanners cannot differentiate that either a person is infected with Covid-19 or not.

10. It is dangerous to receive parcel or any package from China
World Health Organization stated that it is not dangerous to receive any type of parcel or letter from China. Studies shows that corona viruses cannot stay longer on packets or they can stay on metal and plastics surfaces maximum 9-10 days. As other microbes need suitable environment for their life, viruses also need some environmental conditions for their viability such as suitable temperature, deficiency of UV light and moisture. Mostly goods which are imported does not fulfill these conditions so there are very low chances that virus would be present on parcel or any package. There is no evidence proved that virus can be transmitted through import export services. The major source of viral transmission is the respiratory droplets from infected person.

By: Maryam Baig