Are Covid-19 Rumors True or False?

“I heard drinking a bleach solution will prevent me from getting the coronavirus.”
FALSE! FALSE! FALSE! Do not drink bleach! Social media users and others are spreading an idea saying drinking bleach will prevent getting the 2019 coronavirus. Doctors warn drinking bleach causes death, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and liver failure.

“Radio shows say wearing gloves will 100% protect me from the coronavirus.”
FALSE! Gloves only help if you do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, and wash your hands after removing gloves. Dirty gloves can also spread the coronavirus to surfaces.

“Friends tell me since I am young and healthy, I can’t be infected by the new coronavirus.”
FALSE! The World Health Organization (WHO) says people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people and ill people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease can become ill with the virus. WHO recommends people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.

”I read that hair dryers and UV lamps are effective in killing the coronavirus.”
FALSE! The World Health Organization (WHO) says, “hand dryers are not effective in killing the coronavirus. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands, or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.” Remember, you should often clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

“Someone told me that the new coronavirus was created or released by people.”
FALSE! Viruses can change over time. A disease can happen when a virus that is common in an animal such as a pig, bat, or bird undergoes changes and passes it to humans. This is likely how the new coronavirus came to be.

“I heard that buying things from overseas will make me sick.”
FALSE! The World Health Organization (WHO) says the chance a package gets infected is low. It travels over several days and has been exposed to different temperatures during shipping.

“Someone told me that once I recover from COVID-19, I can’t get it again.”
MAYBE! Doctors do not know yet. Some people have recovered from the disease but then get a mild case a second time.

“Some TV hosts say I can catch COVID-19 from my pet.”
FALSE! You cannot catch COVID-19 from your pet or other animals.

“I saw on TV that 5G mobile networks spread COVID-19.”
FALSE! Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. COVID-19 is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth, or nose. 

“A friend said that adding pepper to soup or other meals prevents or cures COVID-19.”
FALSE! Hot peppers in your food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19. It is beneficial for your general health to maintain a balanced diet, stay well hydrated, exercise regularly, and sleep well.

“The radio said COVID-19 is transmitted through houseflies.”
FALSE! There is no proof that the COVID-19 virus is spread by houseflies. 

“I heard the sun or temperatures higher than 75 degrees prevents the coronavirus disease.”
FALSE! You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. 

“I read that drinking alcohol does not protect me against COVID-19 and can be dangerous.”
True! Alcohol does not protect you. Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of health problems. 

“A radio show said that cold weather and snow would kill the new coronavirus.”
FALSE! There is no proof that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or any other disease. The normal human body temperature remains around 98.6 degrees if it is cold outside or not.

“I read the most effective way to protect myself against the new coronavirus is to frequently cleaning my hands. I should wash them with soap and water for 20 seconds or more.” 
TRUE! You can also use alcohol-based hand rub to use when you can’t wash with soap. By doing this you kill viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection by touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

“I heard that the new coronavirus could be transmitted through mosquito bites.”
FALSE! There is no proof the new coronavirus could be spread by mosquitoes. The coronavirus spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. 

“Many people I know say taking a hot shower or bath prevents COVID-19.”
FALSE! A hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 98.6 degrees, whatever the temperature of your bath or shower. Taking a hot bath with very hot water can be harmful. It can burn you. 

“TV ads say eating garlic can help me not get the new coronavirus.”
FALSE! There is no proof that eating garlic has kept people getting the new coronavirus.