GUWAHATI: With lots of myths floating around, WHO comes up with Fact or Fiction around the new coronavirus.
Q. Am I likely to get COVID-19 is I swim in a swimming pool?
Fact: Swimming in a well-maintained, properly chlorinated pool is safe. However, it is advisable to stay away from al crowded areas including crowded swimming pools. Keep 1 metre distance from people who sneeze or cough even in a swimming area.
Q. Does eating rasam or curry protect from COVID-19?
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that rasam or curry protects from the virus.
To protect yourself:
• Regularly wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or, and then dispose the tissue immediately.
• Keep 1 metre distance from someone sneezing or coughing
Q. Does drinking lots of water every 15 mins flush out the new coronavirus and protects against COVID-19?
Fact: There is no evidence that drinking lots of water flushes out the new coronavirus.
However, for good health in general, it is recommended that people should have 8 glasses of water every day.
Q. Does lemon or turmeric prevent COVID-19?
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that lemon/turmeric prevents COVID-19. In general, however, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
Q. Does sunlight kill the new coronavirus?
Fact: There is no evidence that sunlight kills the new coronavirus.
Q. Does eating frozen foods and ice-cream spread the new coronavirus?
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that eating hygienically made frozen food and ice-cream spreads the new coronavirus.
Q. Only a dry cough is a symptom of COVID-19. If I have a runny nose or sputum, I do not have COVID-19. Is this correct?
Fact: No this is not correct. Some patients with COVID-19 do show a runny nose or sputum as symptoms.
Q. Eating chicken causes the spread of the new coronavirus.
Fact: Eating hygienically prepared and well-cooked chicken is safe and does not cause the spread of the new coronavirus.
Q. Eating mango cures the new coronavirus as the acids in the fruit kill it.
Fact: No. There is no scientific evidence that mango kills the new coronavirus. However, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
Q. Does durian protect from COVID-19?
Fact: No. There is no scientific evidence that durian protects from COVID-19. However, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
