1. COVID-19 is transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates:
Current understanding of the COVID-19 virus indicates it can live in any part of the world and in any climate. In the hot countries of the African continent alone we’re seeing it in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa.
Irrelevant of the location the most effective treatment is also a global one; clean your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol based detergent and remain 2 meters distance from other people at all times.
2. The oncoming hot weather should kill it off:
Experts in the field of Chronobiology tell us that even seasonal outbreaks consist of adaption patterns which are uniquely asymmetrical. Measles for example dips in more temperate climates during summer, but accelerates in tropical regions during dry seasons.
The Norovirus, Vomiting Bug and Flu peak in colder months, where as Typhoid infections peaks during the hotter seasons. When erratic human activity is throw in to the mix the transmission patterns become even more ambiguous (like mass shopping during the cold Christmas period). Pandemics such as the current one don’t always behave the same as a periodical infections, and regardless of the external COVID-19 clearly has no issue with the cosy 36.5°C-37°C internal temperature our body has to offer.
So before the holiday villa in Spain starts to give you ideas consider the cheaper alternatives, namely a bar of soap and a sink.
3. Taking a hot bath will prevent infection:
Bathing in hot water will not prevent infection of COVID-19. Not only can bathing in hot water be potentially dangerous but it won’t shift the bodies core temperature to do anything more than give you a headache or possibly worse.
To put water to better use simply mix it with some soap and lather up those dirty mitts for twenty seconds at a time
4. If you become infected you have it for life:
Not true. The vast majority of people that become infected with COVID-19 only have mild symptoms and make a prompt recovery. Age, frailty and a serious pre-existing condition can however make things much more complicated, however plenty of elderly victims can and do pull through relatively unscathed.
Catching the condition early and self isolating aids recovery and most people recover with medical support and guidance, so if you show any symptoms make sure you call the NHS helpline on 111 and get advice and guidance straight away.
5. Breathing exercises can tell you if you're free of the virus:
Breathing exercises may work for a morning mediation or the odd prank phone call, but as a way of screening your current health…not so much. Holding ones breath for 10 seconds or sneezing/coughing without discomfort is also useless.
The only way to confirm if you have the virus producing COVID-19 disease is a laboratory test, and even with the symptoms of a dry cough, tiredness and fever (and in more severe cases, pneumonia) you still could be virus free.
6. Alcohol can protect you against COVID-19:
Whilst there’s a glorious irony in being ale to cure a virus that requires self isolation with a night out, sadly it’s not true. Whilst excessive drinking can at times be fun, it’s also potentially dangerous.
7. Mosquitos transmit COVID-19:
Thankfully there’s no evidence right now that the virus can be spread through the bite of a mosquito, or any insect that we know of. If it were true the rate of transmission would greatly extended especially in the hotter climates of the world.
The only methods of transmission currently known are moisture droplets through coughing or sneezing, saliva or discharge from the nose.
Combining social distancing with regular hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol based gel and transmission rates can be lowered relatively quickly.
8. Hot air from hair/hand dryers can kill the virus:
Sadly, breathing in hot air from hair dryers or drying your hands with a hand dryer cannot kill the virus (unless of course preceded by a thorough hand washing)
9. Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
10. Can thermal scanners identify those infected?
Whilst a thermal scanner can of course detect someone suffering from a fever they can’t detect the presence of the virus before said symptoms begin.
Remember, there’s a symptom incubation period of 2-10 days before it really gets to work in the human blood stream and causes the individual to develop any symptoms.
11. Spraying chlorine or alcohol over your body will help cure you:
Whilst alcohol based soaps and hand gels are the weapon of choice when it comes to personal sanitisation, once the virus enters the body no exterior treatment of any kind will help.
Dosing yourself in disinfectants of an industrial strength can cause damage to your clothing and the mucous membranes, such as the eyes and mouth.
12. Pneumonia vaccinations can be used to protect you against the Coronavirus:
COVID-19 is a unique virus, and the recent excavation of its genome has revealed a close family tie with the DNA of bats, leading many scientists to believe it originated from production of bat soup at the now infamous Wuhan Market.
The Pneumococcal Vaccine and Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib) vaccine have been developed specifically for pneumonia and are highly effective for combatting respiratory illness, but sadly COVID-19 is a horse of a different stripe.
13. Regular rinsing of the nose with saline solution can prevent infection:
It’s easy to forget but the Coronavirus whilst similar to the common cold and flu, is at it’s core a respiratory condition.
Whilst there’s limited evidence that saline rinsing can help people recover quicker from the common cold it remains completely ineffective against a virus that effects the lungs.
14. Eating garlic can prevent infection:
Eating garlic will prevent many things in this world, getting lucky of a Friday night with your nearest and dearest, or a conversation with another human.
Sadly the coronavirus is not amongst that list, however its antimicrobial and culinary properties are always recommended!
15. It’s just the elderly that are effected by the virus:
The Coronavirus is no respecter of persons and can kill the young and elderly alike. However the vast majority of global infection cases consist of mild symptoms that can be fought off relatively quickly, especially within the pre 70 year old and healthy age group.
Those who suffer from age related frailty or pre-existing health conditions are considerably more vulnerable.
16. Antibiotics can help prevent infection:
Antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria by breaking down the Peptidoglycan, the material of the virus’s outer wall which then stops the bacteria from reproducing and reeking its havoc.
COVID-19 is a virus, not a bacteria and thus remains unhindered through the use of antibiotics (unless bacterial infections are a result from the virus in the first place)
17. Are there any know cures for the Coronavirus?
Currently laboratories around the world are working on a vaccine for the virus, but this does take many months of work and testing.
The best treatments currently available remain self isolation and regular hand washing with an alcohol based soap or hand gel.
