With information about COVID 19 pandemic spreading almost as rapid the virus itself, it is important to separate facts from rumors. While social distancing remains the safest way to prevent the spread of the virus, it is important to debunk some of the myths and mistruths circulating about COVID 19.
COVID 19 virus only affects older people.
False… People of all the ages can be affected by COVID 19 virus. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma) can be more vulnerable and can become severely ill by infecting the virus. So people of all ages should take necessary actions to protect themselves from the virus. For example everyone must follow good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
COVID 19 virus is airborne.
False … Studies to the date suggest that COVID 19 virus is mainly transmitted through contact with droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and they quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
However you can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within 1 meter of a person who has COVID 19 or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.
Wearing a cloth face covering can prevent infecting the virus.
False … Due to short supply of surgical masks and N95 respirators and to reserve those for healthcare workers government is recommending cloth face coverings instead of medical grade facemasks. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings should be worn whenever you are in a community setting such as grocery stores and pharmacies and still you should stay at least 1 meter away from other people and follow every other preventive action.
Exposing yourself to the sun or to higher temperatures can prevent the COVID 19.
False … You can be infected by COVID 19 virus no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Even though we are now experiencing the hottest weather of the year, we can still see the virus is spreading in country. So to protect yourself from getting infected make sure you are following good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.
Eating garlic help prevent the infection of COVID 19 virus.
False … Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has prevented getting infected people from the COVID 19 virus.
Pasidu Udara
References
Comments