Busting the myths

The Covid-19 threat has come along with many myths on internet. Regarding some of these the WHO warns:

■ COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.

■ Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.

■ Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease

■ The new coronavirus cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites.

■ Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV.

■ UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

■ Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever.

■ Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.

■ Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

■ There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

■ There is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Next week we will provide you with all the explanations WHO has on theses Covid-19 myths.