Dispelling myths and misconceptions about coronavirus

ET Online|

Updated: 02 Mar 2020, 06:43 PM IST

1/10

Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?

To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

2/10

Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?

Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

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3/10

How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?

Thermal scanners cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

4/10

Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new coronavirus?

Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

5/10

Is it safe to receive a letter or a package from China?

From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

6/10

Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?

The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

7/10

Does putting on sesame oil block the new coronavirus from entering the body?

There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

8/10

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

9/10

Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

10/10

Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.