7 lies about the coronavirus that you should not believe
The French Ministry of Health had to officially deny the rumour that cocaine may protect against the disease. Read in this article about other false rumors related to cold, heat and the use of certain substances or devices to kill the virus.
Since the coronarivus outbreak turned into a global epidemic (now a pandemic, according to the World Health Organization), there are many false rumors that have spread around the internet.
Those rumours usually talk about some homemade methods to avoid contracting the virus. Methods that are not always recommended, as in some cases they can pose serious risks to people's health.
1. Cocaine does not protect
For example, French Government recently had to deny a rumor that had spread on the world wide web that the use of cocaine can protect against the coronavirus.
"No, cocaine does NOT protect against # COVID19. It is an addictive drug that causes serious adverse effects and harmful to people's health," the Ministry of Health wrote in its official Twitter account.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also published a list of false myths about the coronavirus that are not to be believed.
2. Cold weather and snow can kill the coronavirus
According to the WHO, there is no reason 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.
The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
3. Taking a hot bath prevents the disease
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.
"The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose," emphasizes the WHO.
4. Mosquito bites can transmit the virus
To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. 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.
To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
5. Hand dryers can kill the virus
No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
6. Ultraviolet disinfection lamps kill the virus
According to the World Health Organization, ultraviolet lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as ultraviolet radiation can cause skin irritation.
7. Spraying alcohol over the body kills the virus
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (for example eyes or mouth).
Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.