The number of coronavirus cases in the country rises to 126, as of March 17, and still, so many people are under scrutiny.
Information is coming to us even faster than usual— on Facebook, through our news alerts, and as more of our daily lives are disrupted by closures and cancellations, through our social channels and group chats.
However, rumours are spreading more rapidly than the disease itself.
The government is also under pressure to limit the myths, rumours and unconfirmed or unproven news about the virus.
Don’t Panic, take precautions and stay healthy.
Check out some of the rumours and fact about COVID-19 –
RUMOUR: Wearing a face mask prevents from getting infected by COVID-19.
FACT: WHO & CDC recommended that wear a mask if you show COVID-19 Symptoms (especially coughing or close contact with someone infected with COVID-19).
People with no respiratory system do not need to wear a medical mask. The sole use of the mask is insufficient for an adequate level of protection.
RUMOUR: Gargling with Luke warm water and salt prevents COVID-19.
FACT: In an email to AFP, the WHO said ‘ we have seen no convincing evidence that rinsing one’s mouth with diluted saline water will provide protection from this disease,’ In a press release, UNICEF has also clarified that the message circulating on social media is not true.
RUMOUR: COVID-19 can survive up to 12 hrs on metal, 9 hrs on clothes, and 10 minutes on the human hand.
FACT: According to WHO, there is no evidence if coronavirus may remain on surfaces for few hours or up to a few days, this may vary under different conditions like the type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment.
RUMOUR: Hot temperature will stop the COVID-19 Outbreak.
FACT: It is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when the weather becomes warmer. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing said CDC and WHO.
RUMOUR: COVID-19 is nothing worse than winter flu.
FACT: Considering the current estimates of a roughly 1% fatality rate of COVID-19, its is about 10 times deadlier than seasonal flu, says Dr. Bruce Aylward, head of a WHO- China joint mission and veteran epidemiologist.
RUMOUR: Garlic Intake can help in curing COVID-19.
FACT: In response for this rumour, WHO says it is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties but there is no evidence that eating garlic can protect people from the new coronavirus.
RUMOUR: Eating chickens and eggs can infect you.
FACT: After this news that eating chickens and eggs can infect you to coronavirus people stop consuming chickens.
According to WHO people should “avoid eating sick animals that have died of diseases” Also coronavirus is spread through animals, eating poultry is healthy.
Do not spread coronavirus fake rumours and keep your fact check before spreading any information.
Inputs: Inshort, WHO