30 Myths about Coronavirus 2019

There are a lot of rumors, myths, false theories on one person can combat, alleviate or fight coronavirus 2019 (COVID 2019).

There are over 207,000 cases of coronavirus all over the world spanning all continents except for Antarctica. There were cases in about 170 territories and countries as of (March 18, 2020) 11:00 pm Manila time, based from data from John Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

There were 202 confirmed cases in the Philippines while 17 recorded deaths.

photo credit: tumisu-148124 (pixabay)

30 Myths and Rumors Debunked

30.) Garling Salt Water –  In a recent press conference, Presidential Press Secretary Salvador Panelo told the press that “I have made it a habit to gargle with salt water”. When I have a little cold, I gargle.”

Fact: There is no scientific study or research that garling salt water can fight coronavirus. Plus can be contaminated with animal waste, sewage spills, algae and microbes that are present in untreated salt water.

29. Eating Moringa, Malunggay or Moringa oleifera will help immune system fight coronavirus.

Fact: Malunggay had Vitamins A, C, E, protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, phytochemicals, and fiber which will aid in boosting one’s immune system. but there is no scientific basis or study that eating moringa or malunggay can kill the virus.

Noni fruit : Photo credit: najibzamri-7973793 (pixabay)

28.) Drinking Noni, Apatot or Morinda citrifolia fruit juice can kill the coronavirus.

Fact: No scientific proof that the noni juice nor fruit can help flight the virus.

27.) Only Asian descent can get the virus.

Fact: Anyone can get the corona virus.

26.) Sunshine, Vitamin D and Eating Citrus.

Fact : No scientific basis or studies that Eating Citrus and Going out to take sunshine does not have any scientific basis.

bananas, photo courtesy: thedigitalartist-202249 (pixabay) 

25.) Eating 1 bananas will keep the virus away. The instant remedy circulated in several social media sites like Facebook, Viber and Twitter. Which prompted some local banana fruit sellers to ran out of bananas.

Fact : Eating banana a day can help improve one’s immune system due to the source of vitamin B-6. However in a post by University of Queensland in Australia that they have not conducted such studies and video which circulated online is not true.

24.) Temperature over 35 degrees Celsius ( 95F) will stop the virus from spreading. Tropical and those living near the equator will slow the spread the virus.

Fact: According to officers from the World Health Organization, this strain of coronavirus can be transmitted regardless of the region’s climate and weather conditions.

23.)  One can get the virus from products and items made in China.

Fact : Experts believe that the virus doesn’t survive for extended periods of time on hard surfaces, although its lifespan still is being studied.

22.) Drinking water every 15 minutes will prevent you from contracting the virus. A post circulating in different social media platforms like Facebook claims that doctors recommend flushing the virus from your body with water and says that stomach acid can kill the virus.

Fact: Although drinking water can dehydrate one’s body, There is no scientific basis nor study that drinking water every 15 minutes can prevent one from getting the virus.

21.) Hand dryers kill the coronavirus.

Fact: World Health Organization and Department of Health (DOH) Philippines,the best method of protecting yourself against the virus is washing your hands with lukewarm water and soap at least 20 to 30 seconds. There are no scientific basis or study that using hand dryer can kill the virus.

photo credit: gadini-388416 ( pixabay)

20.) Spraying yourself with chlorine or alcohol will kill the virus.

Fact: Although alcohol and chlorine can be used in small amounts as disinfectants on hard surfaces, they cannot kill the virus. It can also be harmful when large quantities are ingested.

garlic : photo credit (pixabay)

19.) Eating a lot of garlic or 2 cloves of crush garlic then adding to 1 glass of lukewarm water. In order to avoid getting the virus. Garlic has some antimicrobial properties, which slows the spread of microorganisms.

Fact: local health officials does not have any proof that garlic has helped prevent the spread of coronavirus. There is not enough scientific studies which states that eating garlic can stop the spread of the virus.

 Garlic photo credit : stevepb-282134 (pixabay)

18.) Drinking bleach and alcohol protects you from the virus. Rumors have circulated Facebook and social media sites that drinking bleach prevents people from catching the coronavirus.

Fact: Drinking bleach or alcohol dangerous to a person’s health. This is according to a post from Department of Health (DOH) officials.

photo credit: congerdesign-509903 (pixabay)

17.) Adding ginger to warm water to protect one person from catching the virus. Same with drinking salabat, ginger tea or pito-pito.

Fact: This can help boost the immune system but can not totally fight the virus.

16.) Using a nasal saline rinse will prevent the virus.

Fact: rinsing your nose has not been proven to eliminate the coronavirus or any other respiratory infection.

15.) Taking essential oils, acetic acid, steroids or antibiotics will help. Fact: People taking these without prescription is dangerous .

14.) Chinese food is unsafe to eat right now.

Fact : proper food handling and sanitation is the key.

13.) A surgical face mask will prevent you from getting the virus.

Fact: Ordinary face masks are ineffective in preventing COVID-19.

12.) The virus originated from raw bats or bat soup. videos which circulated online.

11.) It only affects the elderly. People who are elderly or have compromised immune systems are most at risk for severe illness if they contract the virus, according to WHO.

Fact: anyone of any age can contract and spread the virus to others. In the Philippines, a 13 year- old patient living in Quezon City got infected.

10.) The COVID-19 vaccine almost is ready.

Fact: It may take months or at least a year for scientists to create a vaccine.

9.) Mineral supplements can destroy the virus.

Fact: There are no known proof that mineral supplement can cure the coronavirus.

8.) The virus was manufactured in a lab and deliberately released.

Fact: This had circulated in several online sites, some television stations and even well-known senator made some personal comments. It had not been proven that the virus came from laboratory and man-made.

7.) Ultraviolet disinfection lamps kill the virus on your skin. Fact: According to WHO, the best way to sterilize your hands is soap, water and observing proper hand washing and social distancing.

6.) The use of colloidal silver was promoted on televangelist Jim Bakker’s show. Colloidal silver is tiny particles of the metal suspended in liquid. The televangelist also sells bucket meals.

Fact: United States health authorities that there is no evidence this type of silver solution is effective for any health condition. More importantly, including kidney damage,allergic reaction and possible blood poisoning.

5.) Drinking hot water to taking hot baths will help fight the coronavirus.

Fact: There were no proven nor scientific studies conducted.

4.) Coronavirus 2019 is airborne.

Fact : The Department of Health (DOH) Philippines clarified. It was Department of Health( DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in an interview, said a recent World Health Organization (WHO) article about the novel coronavirus considered only hospital settings or in enclosed room.

dog and cat (photo courtesy of pixabay) free-photos-242387

3.) Cats, Dogs and Pets spread the Virus.

Fact: World Health Organisation says there is no evidence that pets can be infected with the coronavirus.

A dog, which belonged to a patient who had COVID-19, tested negative for the virus last week, the city’s Hong Kong’s Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

2.) Consuming 1 tablespoon a day of Coconut virgin coconut oil (VCO) can help boost immune system.

Fact: Although there are studies that VCO can boost immune system. “We have heard very good studies with regard to its ability to neutralize the viruses, but for the COVID- 19, it is not clear,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview with CNN Philippines confirming the collaboration with Singapore.

Tawa-tawa is said to cure dengue patients

1.) Tawa-tawa plant, snakeweed or Euphorbia hirta– Consuming or boiling plant extract to fight combat the virus.

Fact: No scientific studies nor research had proven that this plant can cure conoravirus.

Here are some of the tips given by Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health (DOH-Philippines), John Hopkins and University of the Philippines.

1.) Social distancing and give at least 1 meter distance from people.

2.) Wash you hands frequently with soap, water for at least 20 to 30 seconds. Try to complete the song ” Happy Birthday ” two times!

3.) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and observe good hygiene.

4.) Cover your cough or sneeze with tissue then properly dispose the tissue in trash or sneeze into your elbow.

5.) Avoid spitting anywhere.

6.) Clean and disinfect frequently.

7.) Stay at Home.

Sources and References: Department of Health ( Philippines), John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center ( John Hopkins University), World Health Organization, Center of Disease Control (CDC), University of the Philippines, Hong Kong’s Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), CNN Philippine interview, PCOO, personal interviews with several health care professionals and epidemiologist.

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