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The most dangerous health myths debunked in 2020, from herd immunity to COVID-19 'hygiene theater'
The most dangerous health myths debunked in 2020, from herd immunity to COVID-19 'hygiene theater'
Gabby LandsverkDec 14, 2020, 22:22 IST
Volunteers from the Blue Sky Rescue team disinfect at the Qintai Grand Theatre in Wuhan,Aly Song/ REUTERS
As a year dominated by a global pandemic, 2020 was rife with dangerous health misinformation.
False and misleading claims suggested that wearing a mask is dangerous, only sick people spread the coronavirus, and substances like hydroxychloroquine, colloidal silver, or bleach can "cure" us.
But this year also put the $36 billion supplement industry in the spotlight, and revealed how much systemic racism influences health.
These are the most dangerous health myths debunked in 2020.
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Myth: Herd immunity is a good strategy against the coronavirus.
Chasing natural immunity by letting a majority of the population get infected isn't a good pandemic strategy.
Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty
Myth: 'Natural' remedies like bleach or colloidal silver can prevent or cure disease.
Chlorine dioxide, sometimes called miracle mineral solution, is a form of industrial bleach sold as a health tonic, with dangerous side effects.
REUTERS/Danilo Balderrama
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Myth: Commenting about people's weight or diet is helpful.
Even with the best of intentions, remarking on someone's weight loss or eating habits can do more harm than good.
Crystal Cox/Business Insider
Myth: Health is colorblind.
Racism, including in the healthcare system, is part of why Black and Hispanic people face worse coronavirus outcomes.
Timothy Clary/AFP via Getty Images
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Myth: Sanitizing everything is the best way to prevent people from getting sick.
Constantly spraying disinfectant from floor to ceiling is not the best way to prevent coronavirus infection.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Myth: You can boost your immune system to fight off the virus.
No amount of gummy vitamins will improve your changes against coronavirus infection.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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Myth: Hydrochlorquine can treat or cure COVID-19.
Hydroxychloroquine has failed to treat coronavirus in study after study.
GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images
Myth: Face masks are useless or harmful.
Please wear a mask in public, particularly when social distancing isn't possible.
Crystal Cox/Insider
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Myth: Kids aren't affected by the novel coronavirus.
Children are less likely to have severe COVID-19, but are still at risk of complications and of spreading the virus.
Getty
Myth: You can't spread COVID-19 if you don't have symptoms.
A cough is a common sign of illness, but even apparently healthy people can spread contagious viruses.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters