Coronavirus has spawned a tsunami of conspiracy theories and misinformation in the past year. Here DR JULIAN SPINKS debunks the most common myths and misconceptions out there
“It’s no worse than flu”
In some years flu outbreaks do cause thousands of deaths annually, but 2020 saw more excess deaths in the UK than at any time since the Second World War. The pattern of symptoms is different from flu and risk of severe illness or death is higher for Covid.
“It only affects old people”
The risk of serious illness and death rises with age, as well as factors such as obesity. However, younger people have ended up in hospital and it can be a very unpleasant disease even if you are not admitted. Long Covid – ongoing debilitating symptoms after Covid – is becoming more common and can affect people who had mild symptoms during the initial illness.
“If I don’t have a cough I don’t have coronavirus”
The NHS says that the three main symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a change to sense of taste and smell. But you should get a test if you have any of these symptoms.
“Masks lower your oxygen levels and make you ill”
Masks have very little effect on oxygen or carbon dioxide levels. Surgeons have been able to wear masks during long operations without ill effects and they are standard protective equipment in ICUs. Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation say masks can be worn by all but the most severely affected.
Adding masks to social distancing significantly reduces the chance of catching the virus. The World Health Organisation does advise not wearing masks while exercising because it can make it hard to breathe comfortably.
“Eating garlic and taking vitamins can prevent Covid”
There is no evidence that eating garlic, other herbs and spices, vitamins or micronutrients reduce your chance of catching Covid or keep you out of hospital.
It’s also a myth that taking a hot bath can ward off coronavirus, and that ingesting methanol, ethanol or bleach, as former US President
Donald Trump once suggested, could be a cure.
“Covid is actually caused by 5G mobile signals”
There is no plausible way that pneumonia and other Covid-related diseases could be caused by the signals from 5G masts.
If it was 5G then you would expect there to be fewer Covid cases in areas yet to receive 5G. This is not the case.
“Vaccines were rushed and haven’t been properly tested”
While the usual development process has been speeded up, vaccines have absolutely all been approved by regulators.
The speed of development of vaccines was not achieved by cutting corners with safety testing. The vaccines were still tested on the normal number of volunteers before they were released for general use. It’s also a myth that you can get coronavirus itself from the jab. Nor is there a link to autism or infertility.
“The jab injects microchips”
Anyone who has had a pet chipped will know that there is no way they could be injected through the narrow needles we use for vaccination even if they were shrunk to a fraction of their size. Despite the online rumours, the jabs do not change your DNA either…
“The pandemic is a big conspiracy”
Many people love a conspiracy theory – but this would involve millions of doctors, scientists and politicians worldwide.
Would ICU staff be happy to go through many months of long hours, stress, grief and family disruption to support the introduction of a new world order?
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