COVID-19: 10 Myths Busted!

The novel coronavirus has affected the lives of billions of people in more than 200 countries. The rapid rate at which the virus is spreading has given rise to anxiety, with governments declaring a lockdown and ordering people to stay indoors.

The general public is inundated with information on what to do and not do, what to touch and how to touch, what to wash their hands with and how far they should stay from people who are sick. However, the huge flow of data has also seen the creation of ideas about the virus that are completely untrue and have no backing by science. In an attempt to deal with such information, we list a few myths surrounding COVID-19 and bust them for you.

1. Hot Vs Cold – Part 1

Myth:
Coronavirus does not spread rapidly in hot and humid climates

Fact:
According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather.

2. Hot Vs Cold – Part 2

Myth:
Cold weather and snow kills the new coronavirus.

Fact:
There is no scientific proof to believe 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. Hot Vs Cold – Part 3

Myth:
Taking a hot bath prevents the new coronavirus disease

Fact:
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. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.

4. Face Masks Vs No Face Masks

Myth:
Face masks protect from the new coronavirus

Fact:
Wearing a face mask is not an iron-clad guarantee that the virus will not be contracted. These viruses can also transmit through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can penetrate masks. However, people who work are in close contact with those infected, like medical staff, caregivers and family, must wear the facial masks as they cut down the chances of infection.

5. Blaming Mosquitoes

Myth:
Mosquitoes spread the new coronavirus

Fact:
Mosquitoes are a menace but they are not to be blamed for COVID-19. There has been no information that links the new coronavirus with mosquitoes. According to WHO, ‘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.’

6. Water

Myth:
COVID-19 virus detected in drinking water

Fact:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the new coronavirus has NOT been detected in drinking water. ‘Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems in the US, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.’

7. Born in a lab

Myth:
The new coronavirus was made in a lab

Fact:
There is no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 virus is man-made. The COVID-19 virus along with two other coronaviruses, that caused SARS and MERS, have originated from bats. Therefore, this new virus too has made a jump from animals to humans.

8. COVID-19 is a death sentence

Myth:
People infected with COVID-19 virus are sure to die.

Fact:
False. Around 81% of the infected people only experience mild symptoms and are cured in two weeks. About 13% of the infected people report severe symptoms and about 4.7% of people get critical. The data collected so far suggests that only 2.3% of the infected people die from the virus.

9. Receive no gifts from China!

Myth:
Receiving packages from China can infect you with COVID-19 virus.

Fact:
According to a study published in The Journal of Hospital Infection, the related coronaviruses can stay on surfaces such as metal, glass or plastic for as long as nine days. The CDC further states that there is no evidence to support the theory that the virus is transmitted through imported goods.

10. No fear, hand dryers are here!

Myth:
Hand dryers kill the COVID-19 virus

Fact:
No. Hand dryers do not kill the new coronavirus. To protect yourself against the virus, you should clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub every 20 minutes or wash them with soap and water.