Corona – fact or fiction?

In this tough period of coronavirus pandemic, there are a lot of questions in our minds. We also receive a lot of information on social media. Some of the received information though may sound logical, but might actually be incorrect. The problem is that any incorrect understanding of COVID-19 increases our risk of infections. So along with access to information, it is important to have a reliable source of information.

Here are some of the questions we have heard and responses from experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Myth: I don’t have corona as I can hold my breath for 10 seconds

This is incorrect. Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are free from the coronavirus. The best way to confirm if you have the COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test.  You cannot confirm it with this breathing exercise.

Myth: Standing in the Sun will protect me from of Corona

This persistent rumor is hard to kill. Even India’s Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey espoused that standing in the Sun will prevent the COVID-19. But the reality is that you can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is.

Myth: Drinking alcohol will keep me safe

Just because recommended sanitizers have alcohol in them, it doesn’t mean that drinking it will kill viruses if it has already entered your body. On the other hand frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk.

Myth: Pneumonia vaccine will protect you against coronavirus?

No, at present there is no vaccine for COVID-19. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine and it is expected to be available next year. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Myth: Hydroxychloroquine can protect me from Corona

There is no specific medicine for preventing or treating COVID-19. The treatment has been based on individual case history and their response to different lines of treatments.

There is anecdotal evidence that Hydroxychloroquine can prevent corona from attacking your body but there has not been a peer-reviewed clinical trial yet. Although US President Trump has been trumpeting this as a miracle drug, his chief scientist Dr. Fauci has been dissuading against mass use. Some of the side effects of Hydroxychloroquine are fatal and no one should take it without consulting with their doctor.

Myth: I am young and therefore I need not worry.

People of all ages can be infected by COVID-19. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. You can check our earlier article on what increases risks, but healthy young individuals also are susceptible to COVID-19 and should follow all the personal safety guidelines.

Myth: Corona is being spread by 5G

We can’t wrap our heads around the origin of this one. No, viruses can’t be carried by radio waves/mobile networks. It is also spreading in countries that do not have 5G deployments.

Myth: Ayurvedic or Homeopathic medicines will protect me.

There are good Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines that will help improve your general immunity, but they will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. At the outset of Corona, predictably, a lot of ayurvedic and homeopathic claims started doing round. The Ayush Ministry even publish a notice stating “..stop and prevent publicity and advertisement of AYUSH-related claims for COVID-19 treatment in print, TV and electronic media and take necessary action against the persons/agencies involved in contravening the relevant legal provisions and the aforesaid guidelines of NDMA.”