With the out pour of advice, opinions and speculations from various universities of social media, read through the sanest piece of advice from an expert on the subject matter.
Myth 1.
Avoid shipped packages/gas pumps/shopping carts/ATMs as it is can carry traces of the virus.
Wrong. Coronavirus surface survival is one thing; that surface causing an infection is another. Wash your hands; live your life
Myth 2.
You can catch COVID-19 from ordering takeout food/Chinese food (or the packaging of food).
Wrong. COVID-19 is a droplet related infection (like flu) not a food-borne infection (like salmonella etc.). There is no documented COVID risk with take-out food.
Myth 3.
Going into a sauna for 20 min can kill more than 90% of viruses, including coronavirus.
Wrong. There are no scientific trials to suggest the validity of this claim. On the contrary, saunas can cause pneumonias, folliculitis, etc.
Myth 4.
If you lose your sense of smell, you have COVID.
FALSE. It’s common to temporarily lose one’s sense of smell with many viral infections/allergies. It’s a non-specific symptom that may or may not happen with COVID.
Myth 5.
Taking hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin pre-emptively can prevent COVID.
Wrong. These (experimental) drugs for coronavirus should only be used in selected COVID patients. They can sometimes cause fatal heart rhythm problems plus other side effects.
Myth 6.
I receive messages that using garlic/lemon with hot water/onion in the room will prevent or cure COVID-19. Is it true?
No, it’s just made up stuff. None of these substances have been scientifically tested against COVID. Don’t share such posts; they create confusion.
Myth 7.
Our government has declared a state of emergency. It must mean that we are all dying…
Wrong. The state of emergency is more of a legal than a medical standard. It allows governments to access more resources (like federal funds) and personnel (like the national guards).
Myth 8.
Always change your clothes/shower after coming home. Or you will bring coronavirus to your family.
Wrong. Cleanliness is a virtue; paranoia isn’t. Let’s not scare people. Our biggest return on investment is in handwashing, staying 6 feet away, avoiding large crowds, etc.
Myth 9
But the messages I receive are from doctors in China/Italy. Why shouldn’t I believe them?
False. Real doctors publish their research in scientific journals, not on social media. Lots of good research is already published. Let’s not fuel misinformation.
About Dr Faheem Yonnus
Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases,
University of Maryland UCH.
You can follow @FaheemYounus on Twitter. Published as per his Tweets ****
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