COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, that also means there are lots of myths and misinformation circulating about this novel coronavirus, too. The professionals at Forest Urgent Care in Forest Hills, NY, debunk the most common myths.
So far, the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of COVID-19 are to:
Here’s the truth behind 10 common myths surrounding COVID-19 from a source you can trust, the World Health Organization.
It’s easy to assume that viruses like COVID-19 are less common in places with hot or humid weather. But this coronavirus thrives in all climates, so you should take steps to avoid infection no matter where you are.
You may be uncomfortable when the temperature drops, but cold, snow, and ice don’t stop the coronavirus. That’s because your body temperature remains normal (between 97.7 and 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.5 to 37 degrees Celsius), even when it’s really cold outside.
Contrary to popular belief, taking a hot bath won’t protect you from coronavirus and can actually burn sensitive skin. Instead, focus on keeping your hands clean by washing them with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaning solution.
At this time, there’s no evidence that you can get coronavirus from a mosquito bite. That’s because a respiratory virus causes this infection, and it's spread through tiny droplets passing from the mouth or nose, especially by coughing or sneezing.
Hand blowers do a great job drying your hands, but that’s it. When it comes to the new coronavirus, you need to wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based cleansers to kill the virus. Then you can let the hand blower do its job — dry them off.
Older men and women — along with those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease — appear to have higher risks of becoming severely ill from COVID-19. But men, women, and children of all ages can become sick from this virus too, so everyone should follow good hand and respiratory hygiene to avoid infection.
Garlic is definitely a superfood with antimicrobial properties, but there’s no evidence that eating a lot protects you from a coronavirus. In fact, there are no foods, supplements, or medications that can help prevent or treat COVID-19.
While you can use substances like alcohol or chlorine to disinfect surfaces and doorknobs, you shouldn’t spray them all over your body to prevent this new coronavirus. Not only can these products harm sensitive areas of your body — like mucous membranes in your eyes or mouth — but they can also damage your clothing.
And spraying yourself won’t do anything about viruses that may have already entered your body.
We wish that there was a vaccine to prevent this coronavirus. But vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine have proven ineffective so far. Researchers are currently working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.
Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solutions can help ease inflammation and restore moisture in the area. That makes sinus sprays and neti pots great tools for relieving respiratory symptoms, but they can’t prevent infections.
For more facts on COVID-19, contact Forest Urgent Care in Forest Hills, NY, by calling or requesting an appointment online today.
**Please note: Our Long Island City location is currently closed due to the virus. We will reopen the location as soon as we can. In the meantime, please utilize Forest Urgent Care in Forest Hills, NY.
