Myths are just lies conveying a truth. Numerous myths have been floating around regarding COVID-19 that has shaken the entire world and put 7 billion people in quarantine and lockdown. This article debunks some of these common myths that have been shared!
MYTH #1: Vitamin C cures the infection.
You may have noticed some people talking about how Vitamin C helps cure the virus. This couldn't be further from the truth. Vitamin C does increase immunity and is helpful to the immune system. However, it has no significant effect on the virus. Vitamin C was helpful during the SARS outbreak, but the same cannot be said about its effect on COVID. To date, there is no supplement that can cure the virus, though a few vaccines are undergoing trials. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. Also, never take any vitamin tablet or medicine without consulting a qualified doctor. What you may be taking for the benefit of your body may potentially end up harming it.
MYTH #2: Summers kill the virus.
Yet again, a false ray of hope. While SARS and MERS survived better in cold conditions, COVID is not the same. It survives in all types of climates and outbreak is not limited to a certain climatic zone. Equatorial zones and tropical zones have an equal effect on the virus. The heat and sunlight doesn't kill the virus.
MYTH #3: Holding your breath for 10 seconds means that you have not been infected with the virus.
False! Some people’s lung capacity is simply more than others, some can hold their breath for even longer than 10 seconds and some can't hold it for 10 seconds. Many old people can’t hold their breath for 10 seconds even without the infection, and youth can hold their breath for 10 seconds even with the virus. The only stringent way to know whether you are infected or not is to get a test done.
MYTH #4: Drinking alcohol kills viruses.
Some think that drinking alcohol can kill the virus based on the premise that sanitizers contain alcohol. Instead of killing the virus, drinking alcohol will only have a negative impact on your health and may cause detrimental health complications.
MYTH #5: Thermal scanners can detect the virus.
No, they can't! Thermal scanners can only detect whether a person has a fever or not; they cannot determine whether or not a person has the virus. While fever is a symptom of COVID, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have the virus. Yet again, the only way you can know if you have the virus is by getting yourself tested.
That's it! Stated above, I have debunked a few myths about the virus. Stay safe and wear a mask whenever you step out of the comfort of your home. Take care!
Written by Risha Chaurasia from India
Comments