Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland, Doctor Faheem Younus has on March 17 addressed myths spreading globally about Coronavirus.
See 10 myths and facts below;
So I’m hearing many myths about #COVID-19 and would like to quickly clear the record.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Coronavirus will go away in Sumer months.
Wrong. Previous pandemics didn’t follow weather patterns plus as we enter summer, there will be winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Virus is global.
Myth #2: In summer, the virus will spread more due to mosquito bites.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Wrong. This infection is spread via respiratory droplets, not blood. Mosquitos don’t increase spread.
Myth #3: If you can hold your breath for ten seconds without discomfort, you don’t have COVID.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Wrong: Most young patients with Coronavirus will be able to hold their breaths for much longer than 10 seconds. And many elderly without the virus won’t be able to do it.
Myth #4: Since COVID testing is unavailable, we should donate blood. The blood bank will test for it.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
No blood bank is testing for Coronavirus so this attempt will fail. Blood donation is a sacred exercise; let’s make sure we are motivated by the right reasons.
Myth #5: Coronavirus lives in the throat. So drink lots of water so the virus is pushed into the stomach where the acid will kill it.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Virus may gain entry via throat but it penetrates into the host cells. You can’t wash it away. Excessive water will make you run to the toilet.
Myth #6: All this social distancing is an over reaction. You’ll see that the virus won’t cause much damage.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
If we don’t see many infections (I hope) it actually will prove that social distancing worked. Not that the virus was never a big deal.
Myth #7: Car accidents kill 30,000 people annually. What’s the big deal with COVID-19?
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Car accident are not contagious, their fatalities don’t double every three days, they don’t cause mass panic or a market crash.
Myth #8: Hand sanitizers are better than soap and water.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Wrong. Soap and water actually kills and washes away the virus from skin (it can not penetrate our skin cells) plus it also cleans visible soiling if hands. Don’t worry if Purrell was sold out at your supermarket.
Myth #9: One of the best strategies to prevent COVID-19 is to clean every door knob in your home with disinfectants.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Wrong. Hand washing/maintaining 6ft distance is best practice. Unless you’re caring for a COVID patient at home, your home surfaces should not be a big risk.
Myth #10: COVID-19 was deliberately spread by (depending upon your politics) the American or Chinese military.
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) March 17, 2020
Really???
Social distancing, which involves avoiding highly crowded places, is highly recommended in order to reduce to spread of Coronavirus.
