There’s like all kinds of false information and fake news flying about COVID-19. From mosquitoes to garlic and rasam to spraying ourselves with disinfectant like chlorox! So we’re here to debunk these crazy rumours with our mythbusters from the World Health Organisation, along with helpful advice.
Myth 1 : Eating garlic can help to prevent COVID-19 infection.
Fact: Garlic may be yummy, but the truth is – it won’t protect you from the COVID-19 virus.
Myth 2: Mosquito bites can transmit the COVID-19 virus.
Fact: Sure, mosquitoes are a pest. But there’s no evidence they carry the COVID-19 virus, or they can transmit it to us humans!. What we do know is COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
Myth 3: Drinking lotsa water will flush out the COVID-19 virus.
Fact: Drinking at least 8 glasses of water is important to staying hydrated and healthy; but all that water won’t flush down nor kill the COVID-19 virus.
Myth 4: Take a hot bath and you won’t get COVID-19!
Fact: A hot bath is not going to protect you. But very hot water can burn you. Be careful.
Myth 5: COVID-19 cannot be transmitted in hot and humid climates.
Fact: You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. We know this – there are COVID-19 positive cases in some 180 countries around the world, several with hot and humid climates, like Malaysia..
Myth 6: Lemon and turmeric can kill the COVID-19 virus.
Fact: Adding some lemon or turmeric may make your food tasty, but there’s no scientific evidence it can prevent COVID-19. What we do know is a healthy diet should include adequate fruit and vegetables.
Myth 7: Spraying chlorine all over my body will kill the COVID-19 virus.
Fact: While chlorine is useful to disinfect surfaces, spraying chlorine or similar substances all of your body is harmful. Chlorine is poisonous and swallowing or inhaling it can cause harm. CAUTION: Chlorine poisoning is a medical emergency.
While there is a lot of information available, particularly online, on what to do and how to do it, only some of that information is reliable. Much of it can be ill-advised, misinformed or even purposefully misleading. So always double check your information with trusted sites.
>> Check out more COVID-19 Mythbusters from WHO
Remember these key Prevention Tips:
- Wash your hands frequently – including every time you enter the home or office, after shaking hands with other people, after you cough or sneeze, and before you eat – using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
- Practice physical distancing – with at least 1 meter apart from others; and avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms;
- Cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of used tissue immediately, and wash your hands
- Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
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Let’s all make a promise to only share facts. And to stay calm and carry on. We’re all in this together, OK!
>> More information: Visit UNICEF Malaysia COVID-19 Hub
