COVID-19: Fears & Myths

There is a lot of false information on the internet about the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The person next to you just sneezed, should you stay calm and pray or spray yourself with Lysol? Do you need a mask? Is the virus spread through the exchange of money? Or boxes from Amazon? Or the person next to you at church?

Here are the answers to some common questions.

Does the coronavirus infect Black people?

Black people are not immune to the coronavirus. Claims of immunity to disease based on race are false. Black or darker skin, or African American lineage do not make people immune to the disease. Fictional claims about black immunity from a potentially deadly viral infection are connected with a long history of racist ideas.

Am I safe from the coronavirus at church?

A person in church can be infected from shaking hands with someone or being sneezed on. The question isn’t, Will I get sick? But rather, Who might I infect? We need to take precautions to ensure we care for the most vulnerable in our congregations. Ask if your church can offer streaming services or other ways of connecting. It is very important to maintain social distancing.

Have people in Africa been affected by the coronavirus?

Africa reported its first case of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on February 15, 2020. The virus spread to over 30 countries in less than a month. North Africa has seen the highest number of COVID-19 infections thus far, though more West African countries have been affected than any other region on the continent.

Can you catch coronavirus from food?

Experts say no. The coronavirus can’t infect the body via food because of the stomach’s highly acidic environment. Attempts to decontaminate food such as fruits and veggies with diluted bleach aren’t necessary and could have harmful digestive effects.

Does wearing a face mask protect me from the coronavirus?

While masks may be effective in stopping people from passing on germs to others, doctors aren’t convinced that wearing masks will stop people from getting ill. The CDC does NOT recommend that people wear a face mask to protect themselves from COVID-19. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms.

Can you get coronavirus from handling money?

It’s possible to get coronavirus from touching an object, but that’s not the main way the virus spreads. Money can carry bacteria or viruses. After handling money, avoid touching your face and wash your hands.

How about from Amazon packages?

The virus can live for up to 36 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel. Wash your hands after handling boxes, mail, and packages.

Can UV lights kill the coronavirus?

The World Health Organization says no. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin. UV Light can kill other bacteria and viruses. In fact, it’s often used to decontaminate airplanes and hospitals, but, it’s done with robots or without human exposure. UV-A and UV-B light can cause skin cancer and cataracts.

Does sunlight kill coronavirus?

No. UV radiation that is given off from the sun is not strong enough to kill COVID-19.

Can the coronavirus only be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates?

The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Can cold weather and snow kill the coronavirus?

There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.

Will taking a hot bath prevent coronavirus disease?

Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection.

Can coronavirus be transmitted through mosquito bites?

To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The coronavirus 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. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.

Can hand dryers kill the coronavirus?

No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the coronavirus. To protect yourself, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

How effective are thermal scanners in detecting the coronavirus?

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected to become sick and develop a fever.

Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the coronavirus?

No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against coronavirus?

No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV.

Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent a coronavirus infection?

No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infection. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Can eating garlic help prevent infection from the coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Are younger people immune to the coronavirus?

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. People of all ages need to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the coronavirus. However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.

Use Common Sense

Don’t believe everything you read! Do your own research, and if in doubt look it up. Many rumors are false as well as extremely hazardous. Drinking bleach will not cure you. Shaving your beard is not a cure. Toilet paper tubes are not manufactured in China and do not contain the virus. Hair extensions imported from China will not give you the virus. High doses of vitamin C will not prevent the coronavirus.

Be safe out there!

The World Health Organization (WHO) has answers to some common questions and misconceptions about the new coronavirus. Please go to the WHO website, www.who.int, for the most up-to-date information.