Coronavirus myths and facts: here are 10 rumours about COVID-19 that aren’t true

• As fresh cases of the infection in Delhi and Hyderabad came to light, panic is spreading across the country.
  
• The government officials are struggling to limit the myths, rumours and unverified news about the virus.
  
• Here are 10 rumours that aren’t true about the COVID-19 outbreak.
  

There are at least 29 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in India, as of March 4, and dozens of people are under scrutiny. The Ministry of Home Affairs said on Wednesday (March 4) that India is well prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The virus has infected 80,409 people in China, and cases have been reported in 70 other countries.

However, rumours are spreading faster than the disease itself. The government is also struggling to limit the myths, rumours and unverified news about the virus.

Here are some of the common myths:

Myth: Eating chicken and eggs can infect you
Fact: Several people stopped consuming chicken and eggs following rumours that they will be infected with COVID-19. Though coronavirus is spread from animals, eating poultry is healthy. Scientists are yet to discover which animal caused the outbreak of the new coronavirus. But there is no link between eating chicken, eggs and coronavirus yet. According to WHO, people should “avoid eating sick animals that have died of diseases”.

Myth: Using imported Chinese products can infect you from COVID-19
Fact: Since viruses do not survive long on objects like packages or letters, it is completely safe to use products from China, according to WHO. The virus is contagious but spreads from one person through another.

Myth: A Chinese lab in Wuhan created the outbreak
Fact: As the confirmed cases of Coronavirus started peaking, a rumour that the outbreak is man-made started doing the rounds. One of the versions was that a Chinese lab near Wuhan market -- the centre of the outbreak -- was working on a secret bio weapon that accidently got leaked. However, that is not true.

Myth: Eating garlic and onion can cure coronavirus
Fact: Eating garlic and onion is good for your health. However, it may not cure you from COVID-19 infection. A few social media posts suggest eating garlic or onion can keep you away from viruses, and cure you. While it indeed helps build immunity, it might not be an antidote, says WHO.

Myth: Using cow dung and cow urine can cure virus
Fact: Recently an Indian politician, Suman Haripriya, said that cow dung and urine can cure coronavirus. That is also false. Scientists around the world are still trying to discover a cure.

Myth: Yoga can cure the virus
Fact: Some of the politicians including UP CM Yogi Adityanath claimed that Yoga can cure coronavirus. It may help you lead a healthy life but is not a cure.

Myth: Using antibiotics will help you
Fact: Antibiotics can help you fight only bacteria. Coronavirus -- being a virus -- will remain unaffected. Therefore, you should not consume antibiotics as a precaution. But doctors are prescribing antibiotics to those infected with COVID-19 as the infected can catch bacterial infections too, says WHO.

Myth: Coronavirus is transmitted from bat soup
Fact: Recently, a video of a Chinese woman surfaced on the internet consuming bat soup. The video clip was widely circulated claiming that coronavirus is spread from bats. However, the clip is four years old.

Previously, SARS was passed on from bats. Hence, people thought, the novel coronavirus is passed on from bats to snakes and then to humans. But bats are not yet linked with the virus outbreak.

Myth: Only old people get more sick, young people don’t have to worry
Fact: Most of the deaths so far have been of elderly or middle-aged people. But young people have also been infected with the virus.

Myth: Pets can spread Coronavirus
Fact: Currently, there is no evidence if pets can spread the virus. There is one confirmed case of a dog with the virus, in China. Health authorities are still researching the same.

Myth: A new vaccine will be available soon
Fact: Scientists are yet to discover a cure for the novel coronavirus. Several institutions are working on making an antidote but there’s no confirmation on when it will be available.

Myth: Corona beer causes coronavirus
Fact: Corona beer cannot infect you with coronavirus. The beer company and the virus share the same name “Corona”, which means crown in Spanish. The virus has a crown-like structure. The new coronavirus is officially known as COVID-19.

Constellation Brands, the company that owns Corona, also clarified to its customers "understand there is no link between the virus and our business".


See also:
Coronavirus: Paytm shuts down office, after employee tests positive