13 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Myths, Busted

Myth: COVID-19 Can’t Be Transmitted in Areas with Hot and Humid Climates.

FALSE: According to current evidence, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. No matter what the weather is like where you are, take precautions to protect yourself, including frequently washing your hands with soap and water.

Myth: Cold Weather and Snow Kills the COVID-19 Virus.

FALSE: There’s no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the COVID-19 virus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 97.7° – 98.6° regardless of the external temperature or weather. 

Myth: Taking a Hot Bath Can Prevent Catching COVID-19.

FALSE: Taking a hot bath WILL NOT prevent you from catching COVID-19. Taking a bath with extremely hot water can be harmful because it can burn you.

Myth: Only Older People Are at Risk For COVID-19.

FALSE: People of all ages can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people, and people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

Myth: COVID-19 Can Be Transmitted Through Mosquito Bites.

FALSE: There isn’t any information or evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that’s mainly spread through droplets generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. To protect yourself, maintain a safe distance (six feet) from people when you have to go out in public for groceries and other necessities. Also, wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

Myth: Hand Dryers Can Kill the COVID-19 Virus.

FALSE: Hand dryers can’t kill the COVID-19 virus. To protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then dry them under a hand dryer or with a clean paper towel.

Myth: Thermal Scanners Can Detect People Infected With COVID-19.

FALSE: Thermal scanners can detect people who have a fever, which is a key symptom of COVID-19, but they can’t detect people who are infected with COVID-19 that haven’t yet developed a fever. Once infected, it can take anywhere from two to 10 days before fever and other symptoms develop.

Myth: Spraying Alcohol or Chlorine All Over Your Body Can Kill the COVID-19 Virus.

FALSE: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body won’t protect you and it can’t kill a virus that has already entered your body. In addition to damaging your clothes, spraying these substances can also cause damage to the mucous membranes in your eyes and mouth. 

Myth: Vaccines for Pneumonia Can Protect You From the COVID-19 Virus.

FALSE: Vaccines that can protect you from certain types of pneumonia, such as the pneumococcal vaccine and the Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, can’t protect you from the COVID-19 virus. It’s important to note that, even though these vaccines aren’t effective against the COVID-19 virus, vaccination against respiratory illness is highly recommended to protect your health.

Myth: You Can Protect Yourself From COVID-19 by Swallowing or Gargling with Bleach, Taking Acetic Acid or Steroids, or Using Essential Oils, Salt Water, Ethanol or Other Substances.

FALSE: In addition to being potentially dangerous, none of these recommendations will protect you from getting COVID-19. The best ways to protect yourself continue to be washing your hands frequently with soap and water and staying home. If you do go out for essentials, maintain a distance of at least six feet between you and other people and avoid contact with anyone who’s sick, sneezing or coughing. 

Myth: There’s Currently a Vaccine for COVID-19.

FALSE: Scientists have begun working on a vaccine for COVID-19, but developing a vaccine that’s safe for humans will take many months.

Myth: Regularly Rinsing Your Nose with Saline Can Help Prevent Getting Infected With COVID-19.

FALSE: There isn’t any evidence that rinsing your nose with saline will protect you from COVID-19 or any other respiratory infections.

Myth: Eating Garlic Helps Prevent Infection From COVID-19.

FALSE: There’s no evidence that eating garlic protects you from getting the COVID-19 virus. Garlic is a healthy food with some antimicrobial properties, but eating it won’t protect you from getting COVID-19.

Myth: Antibiotics Can Be Effective in Preventing and Treating COVID-19.

FALSE: Antibiotics only work on bacteria, not viruses. COVID-19 is a virus, so antibiotics shouldn’t be used for prevention or treatment. If you’re hospitalized with COVID-19, though, you may be given antibiotics if you develop a bacterial co-infection. 

Myth: Drugs for Other Diseases Can Treat COVID-19.

FALSE: There are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs specifically for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.  Some drugs, approved for other indications, as well as several investigational drugs are being studied in several hundred clinical trials that are underway across the globe, but no conclusive data is yet available.

More Questions About COVID-19?

If you have more questions or concerns about COVID-19, visit Baptist Health’s COVID-19 Resource Center or visit other reputable sites, such as World Health Organization  or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

---

Sources:
World Health Organization
CDC
Cleveland Clinic
Johns Hopkins