Debunking 10 Myths Around the New Coronavirus

What do you Understand by Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses belong to a large family of viruses, which is found in both animals and humans.

When infected to a person it usually causes illness/ sickness, which could be from a mild cold to any severe disease like a severe acute respiratory syndrome or Middle East respiratory syndrome.

However, a novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus, which has not been identified previously in humans. This virus is also referred to as 2019-nCoV.

As per the reports, the first case of novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan, December 2019.

The Statistics

In the below table, is the list of countries/territories with confirmed novel coronavirus cases and demise.

Source:  This data is as per the list shared by the World Health Organization for 05 February 2020.

10 Myths Around Coronavirus

Myth 1: Receiving any package from China is dangerous.

Reality: Well, it is safe to receive any packages from China, as the new coronavirus does not survive long on any subjects such as packages and letters.

Myth 2: The domestic animals at home can spread coronavirus.

Reality: As of now, there is no proof, which confirms the spreading of coronavirus through pets such as dogs or cats and so on.

However, when you come in contact with your pet wash your hands with soap and running water.

Myth 3: Taking a vaccine against pneumonia will also protect against coronavirus.

Reality: No, taking a vaccine against pneumonia will not protect you against the new coronavirus.

In fact, as of now, there is no vaccine developed to fight against coronavirus although the researchers are trying hard to develop one. However, it is recommended to take vaccination against the respiratory illness for the time being.

Myth 4: Rinsing nose with saline will prevent the infection with the new coronavirus.

Reality: So far there have been no reports, that rinsing nose with saline will protect from the coronavirus. However, it is a healthy tip to protect oneself and recover from common flu or cold.

Besides, please note that it does not prevent any respiratory infections.

Myth 5: Gargling mouthwash protects from the new coronavirus.

Reality: Gargling mouthwash will not protect you from the new coronavirus.

Using mouthwash is a good dental practice as it eliminates specific microbes for a specified time but that does not mean that it will protect your form the new coronavirus.

Myth 6: Consuming garlic prevents infection from the new coronavirus.

Reality: No evidence substantiates that eating garlic will prevent you from being infected with the new coronavirus.

However, eating garlic is a good healthy practise as its antimicrobial properties are advantageous for health.

Myth 7: Sesame oil blocks coronavirus from entering the body.

Reality: Using sesame oil does not prevent you from the new coronavirus. There is a certain disinfectant chemical, which may kill the virus on the surface.

Myth 8: Older people are not affected by the new coronavirus.

Reality: No, people of all ages are being infected with coronavirus whether young or old.

Practise hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene without fail.

Myth 9: Antibiotics will prevent form the new coronavirus.

Reality: No, taking antibiotics will not secure you from the coronavirus. Antibiotics are helpful against bacteria.

The use of antibiotics could be a means of prevention or treatment.

Myth 10: Medicines are available in the market to prevent the new coronavirus.

Reality: There are no medicines available in the market either to prevent or treat the new coronavirus. The researchers have been trying hard for the equivalent.

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How is a Mask Helpful in Preventing the Coronavirus?

Wear a mask if you are taking care of an individual infected with the new coronavirus. Besides, wear a mask if in case you are either coughing or sneezing.

Remember, a mask will only be helpful; if the hands are washed at regular intervals. Besides, it is also important to know how to use the mask and dispose of it.

While wearing the mask, make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Moreover, do not touch the mask regularly with your hands. In case if the mask gets damp, change the mask and not use the used mask.

While removing the mask, remove it from the back and discard it in a bin once the mask is removed and wash your hands.

How to Protect Yourself & Your Family from the Coronavirus?

Let us take a quick understanding of taking the essential protective measures against the noval coronavirus (Covid-19):

• Wash Your Hands Properly: It is important to wash your hands at regular intervals. While washing your hands use a hand wash, soap or any alcohol-based hand rub.
• Follow Respiratory Hygiene: In case if you cough or sneeze always use either a handkerchief or tissue paper. In case, if you use a tissue papers discard it properly without a fail. Besides, always wash your hands and use clean handkerchiefs. Doing this will prevent the spread of germs. If you do not use a handkerchief or tissue, you will use your hands, which will eventually lead to contaminate objects or the people you touch.
• Maintain Social Distance: While you are interacting with others, maintain a distance of at least three metres. This should be done to ensure that in case if you are interacting with a person who is sneezing or coughing then the droplets will not reach you, as you will not be standing too close. In case if you are too close, you will breathe in the virus.
• Avoid Touching: Possible that your hands can be contaminated with the virus as it touches many surfaces. Moreover, if with the same hands you touch your eyes or mouth then you simply transfer the virus to yourself.
• Unwell Times: If you are unwell, visit a doctor without a fail. Avoid going to public places and take care of yourself.
• Animal Products: As of now, avoid consuming uncooked or raw animal food. Besides, avoid visiting animal product or wet markets.

Some Healthy Tips

• Wash your hands
  • when caring for the sick
  • before and after having meals
  • before and after preparing the meals
  • after the use of toilet
• do not spit in the public
• use different chopping boards and knives for raw food and cooked food
• maintain distance from sick animals
• use a disinfectant liquid
• eat well-cooked food

How will Coronavirus Health Insurance be Helpful?

Health insurance essentially provides you coverage against any medical health-related emergencies, which may incur to a fiscal cost.

Therefore, it is advisable to buy a comprehensive coronavirus health insurance policy.

In case if you have a health insurance policy, which are not disease-specific, then it will provide you with a cover for inpatient and outpatient expenses, irrespective of the disease you are diagnosed with.

The coronavirus is an infection and having appropriate health insurance policy will cover you from the day one if diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

Besides, coronavirus does not fall into the category of pre-existing diseases, therefore having a health insurance policy will provide you with coverage for all the expenses incurred in the treatment p[process of the same.

In case if somebody is diagnosed with coronavirus, having a Corona Kavach Policy for Covid 19 will take care of the financial expenses and need not worry about it.

Wrapping it Up

Efforts are being taken to handle the outbreak of new coronavirus as fast as possible.

Do not believe in any rumours and cross-check for information.

Remember, if you have the correct health insurance policy, it will cover you.

In case, if you have any sort of knowledge to fight against the new coronavirus feel free to share and contact the World Health Organization.

This is a time to come out in solidarity and not stick to stigmas.

The time is for facts and not fear, science and not believing in the rumours.