6 Myths You Need to Know About Coronavirus

What is coronavirus? How does the virus spread? How do you protect yourself from being infected? The information about coronavirus is spreading as quickly as the virus is spreading. Unfortunately, the majority of this information is misconceptions that cause a lot of panic around the world. So, let’s refute some common myths about coronavirus.  

Myth 1: Eating garlic can help prevent coronavirus

Garlic is a superfood that has antimicrobial properties, therefore many people are sure that eating this vegetable may prevent coronavirus. However, there is no strong evidence that garlic has protected people from the virus. 

Myth 2: Antibiotics and vaccines against pneumonia can protect against the virus 

Unfortunately, antibiotics work only against bacteria. Moreover, most of the antiviral medications don’t work against new viruses like coronavirus. If you are hospitalized for coronavirus, you may get antibiotics since bacterial co-infection is possible. 

As for vaccines against pneumonia, they also don’t work in this case. However, there is some evidence that regular nasal irrigation may help people recover faster from the common cold but it hasn’t been shown to prevent any respiratory infection, including the new coronavirus. 

Myth 3: Coronavirus can be transmitted through packages shipped from China

No, coronavirus is not transmitted through packages shipped from China. All the viruses have a lengthy period of time they can survive on surfaces. Depending on environmental conditions including humidity, UV exposure, and temperature, this period can reduce. The day-long journey a package would undergo would likely kill any pathogens linked to coronavirus. Coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

Myth 4: People should avoid public transportation or other public places

For the average American, you have no reason to restrict your current movements. Actually, in the middle of the flu season, you’re much more likely to get influenza than the coronavirus. Of course, it’s important to keep your distance from people who are coughing and sneezing. According to the World Health Organization, 82% of coronavirus cases are not deadly and even not severe. Talk to your primary care physician to learn more about how to protect yourself against coronavirus in public places. 

Myth 5: Coronavirus is always deadly 

We still don’t know a lot about coronavirus, but according to the data that is coming out, this is a mild type of the virus. Did you know that there is a two percent coronavirus fatality rate? And that two precent who die have a compromised immune system and they are in the hospital already where they have a 98% chance of surviving. 

Myth 6: Wearing a mask will protect against coronavirus

Many people think that wearing a mask will protect them against coronavirus giving them a sense of security. But people don’t how to properly wear them and which type of mask they need. The majority of the population wears the simple or the surgical mask. The mask you need is called the N95 mask or respirator as it can filter airborne particles with 95% efficacy. And the mask is really intended for those that are infected with the actual coronavirus disease, not so much for a healthy individual.