Coronavirus myths currently circulating on Facebook

The volume of misinformation about coronavirus online calls for continuous monitoring and fact-checking. In this article, we debunk 7 myths that are currently circulating on Facebook.

Social media platforms have emerged as a hotbed for misinformation on coronavirus. Unverified claims about symptoms, cures, and even conspiracy theories circulate widely on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook; necessitating continuous monitoring and fact-checking.

Here, we debunk 7 myths about coronavirus that are currently circulating on Facebook.

Myth #1: Washing your vegetables and fruits with soap can prevent the risk of coronavirus.

Fact: Do NOT use antibacterial soaps and detergents to wash vegetables and fruits. The residue from soaps and detergents is harmful to your health. Instead, rinse your vegetables and fruits under running water before you peel and chop them. This will prevent any surface bacteria and dirt from being transferred onto the produce.

Myth #2: Coronavirus is heat-sensitive, so it can be killed by sitting in the Sun, using a hairdryer or UV light.

Fact: This myth seems to have originated from combining two separate pieces of information. First, Influenza viruses peak during the winter, and so coronavirus is less likely to spread in high temperatures. Second, that heat at 56°C kills the SARS coronavirus, and so the same will apply to the novel coronavirus.

It is true that Influenza viruses peak during “flu season”, but they circulate throughout the year. Moreover, flu season varies from region-to-region. In the US, cases of influenza generally peak between December and February, whereas in India, researchers have found inter-regional variation. While some states peak in winter, others peak in summer.

Similarly, it is true that the infectivity of SARS coronavirus was eliminated by UV radiation at temperatures at and above 56°C in laboratory settings. This does not translate to curing the novel coronavirus by increasing one’s body temperature. The normal body temperature is between 36.5-37.5°C, and the maximum temperature that the human body touches during a fever is around 38.3°C. It is impossible to naturally increase one’s body temperature to 56°C.

Therefore, sitting in the sun or artificially increasing your body temperature with heaters or hair dryers, and using UV-light will not protect you from coronavirus. They might instead cause harm. UV radiation could cause skin irritation and damage to your eyes, and sitting in the sun for long hours could cause sunburn and dehydration. Excessive heat, in general, can result in the development of other diseases.

Myth #3: Inhaling steam will kill the coronavirus

Fact: Steaming in moderation has benefits for the skin, but it is not a cure for coronavirus. You cannot naturally kill the virus with heat. If you test positive for coronavirus, you will need to undergo medical treatment from a certified health professional.

Myth #4: There are organic cures for coronavirus

Fact: There is currently no vaccination or cure for coronavirus. The treatment for coronavirus includes multiple medical procedures that have been approved either as standard practice or for emergency cases by medical authorities in each country.

Any potential cure for coronavirus will have to pass clinical trials and other stages of testing before it is approved for medical use. The spurt of organic cures online, some of which have been backed by political leaders often use political discrimination to justify the cure itself. These are simply messaging tactics to sell products that have not been tested for safety. Any medical treatment has to undergo rigorous tests before it can be authorized for use. Vaccine development for coronavirus is ongoing, and biotechnology companies from over seven countries are currently in the pre-clinical and clinical stages of testing.

Myth #5: Drinking liquids will cause the coronavirus to be killed by stomach acids

Fact: Stomach acids play a role in preventing bacterial pathogens, but there is no evidence that coronavirus can be cured by stomach acids. If you have tested positive for coronavirus, you will need to undergo treatment from a medical professional. Avoid taking HCl supplements to increase stomach acidity without consulting a doctor, as it might result in acid reflux.

Myth #6: Mouthwash can kill coronavirus

Fact: Mouthwash has not been tested against coronavirus. While it is good for general dental hygiene, it cannot be considered a cure for coronavirus. Do not drink mouthwash as a preventative measure for coronavirus. Only use it in small amounts to gargle your mouth.

Myth #7: Holding your breath for 10 seconds without coughing confirms that you do not have coronavirus

Fact: This is not a valid test for coronavirus. The most common symptoms for coronavirus are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Less common symptoms include aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of smell and taste, skin rash, and discoloration of fingers and toes. Serious symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and loss of speech or movement.
If you observe any of these symptoms, go to the nearest testing center or medical facility, and get tested for coronavirus.