As COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, spreads across the world, so do inaccuracies about the disease. Find the truth about seven dangerous myths about coronavirus below.
Myth 1: Younger people aren’t at risk for contracting COVID-19
Truth: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are reporting that most COVID-19-related deaths occur in adults 60 and over and people with chronic health conditions. Younger people may be infected without symptoms and able to spread COVID-19 to others.
It is important to practice self-isolation, or the separation of infected people from healthy people, by staying home. Self-isolation will slow the transmission of COVID-19 to people who are especially susceptible to infection.
Myth 2: Children are at very low risk for contracting COVID-19, so it’s okay for kids to have play dates
Truth: Although there is a low risk of infection in children, it is not ok for children to continue to socialize, according to the CDC. Children may be infected and asymptomatic.
Keeping infected people, even those without symptoms, away from healthy people will slow the spread of COVID-19.
Myth 3: You don’t need to social distance if you monitor your health and feel good
Truth: It may take up to two weeks for people exposed to COVID-19 to have symptoms, according to the CDC. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Even if you feel healthy now, you may be contagious. Continue to self-isolate at home. If being in public is unavoidable, social distance by avoiding crowds and remaining six feet away from others.
Myth 4: You should avoid getting takeout food because it could be contaminated
Truth: There is no evidence to support the transmission of coronavirus through food, according to the CDC. Respiratory droplets, expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes, spread Coronaviruses.
Food safety guidelines recommend washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before preparing or eating food. If soap and warm water are not available, sanitize your hands with a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
It may be possible to contract coronavirus by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face. This is not the main way the virus spreads. The virus doesn’t survive for very long on surfaces. There is a very low risk of spread from food or packaging.
Myth 5: A COVID-19 vaccine is available
Truth: According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there is currently no vaccine. Scientists have started working on one. It will take months before a vaccine is researched, developed, tested, and approved for use in humans.
Myth 6: COVID-19 can’t be transmitted in warm climates
Truth: According to the World Health Organization, the transmission of COVID-19 can occur in all areas, not cold climates. Take proper precautions in all areas, regardless of current temperatures or weather.
Myth 7: You can get COVID-19 from your pet
Truth: The CDC hasn’t received any reports of animals contracting COVID-19. There is no reason to think that pets or other animals may be a source of infection.
Pets can become ill from other types of coronaviruses. Those coronaviruses can’t infect people and aren’t related to the outbreak of COVID-19. Since animals can spread other diseases to people, always practice good handwashing and hygiene around them.