WHO Myth-Busters about Coronavirus
Pak Chronicle Report
Islamabad
A lot of false information is getting viral these days with regard to control spread of coronavirus which got nothing to do with ground realities.
Recently Governor Punjab, Ghulam Sarwar was reported as being claiming that drinking of hot water may kill coronavirus in stomach. However, World Health Organization (WHO) is yet to confirm this stance. However, this claim or stance of Sarwar seems only a myth so far unless it is scientifically proven.
According to WHO Myth-Busters people of all ages can be infected by the coronavirus. 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.
According to WHO cold weather and snow cannot the coronavirus and it can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates. This finding of WHO put aside the myth that the epidemic wouldn’t spread in hot and humid climates.
The WHO also states that the coronavirus cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites. So there is no need to be afraid of its spread through mosquito bites. However, someone needs to convey it to the Chief Minister Punjab,Usman Buzdar who after getting detailed briefing on the coronavirus had inquired “Yeh corona kaat-ta kaisay hay? (how does this corona bite?)
Moreover, according to WHO There is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the coronavirus.https://www.dawn.com/news/1542078/red-zone-files-whos-fighting-the-corona-war
Taking a hot bath does not prevent coronavirus and hand dryers are not effective in killing the coronavirus, further states WHO besides adding that ultraviolet light should not be used for sterilization and can cause skin irritation.
According to the world health organization thermal scanners can only detect if people have a fever but they cannot detect whether or not someone has the coronavirus.
Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body, WHO announces.
There is also a myth that vaccines against pneumonia can provide protection against the coronavirus.
“Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, DO NOT provide protection against the coronavirus,” states WHO.
Moreover, according to it there is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the coronavirus.
According to WHO garlic is healthy but there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the coronavirus.
Moreover, antibiotics do not work against viruses, antibiotics only work against bacteria.
There is myth in Pakistan that eating raw onion is a solution against outbreak of coronavirus.
However, according to WHO, to date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the coronavirus.
ENDS
