Coronavirus 2020- All myths busted
Every time there is a new pathogen in the loose and is causing massive outbreaks in all part of the world, people becomes paranoid. There are a number of question related to the issue and every person have a different point of view about the same epidemic. One very important factor that is causing the issue of Coronavirus myths is that not everyone is well aware of the condition and how it is caused and it spreads. It is always said that little knowledge can be dangerous and bit hold very true in this subject. The only way to break all the myths is with facts. The more we know the condition and its cause the clear picture we will have of this condition. The best way to prevent this disease from spreading is with facts and basic hygiene. So, let us take a little time to know a few facts on the topic Coronavirus and bust certain myths related to Coronavirus. As knowledge is the key to fighting this issue.
Coronavirus 2020 facts
The novel 2019 Coronavvirus that is now also called as SARS-CoV-2 have become an epidemic today. It was seen to start in the year December 2019 in china. With time it started to spread to different countries. By 30th January 2020, the world Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Coronavirus is a global health emergency.
Initially people who are subjected to the Coronavirus infection may show mild symptoms. Some of which are fever, cough and at times pneumonia.
Today, there is a number of information that are doing the round about Coronavirus. So, it has become very important to know what the truth is and what is not. To get a better understanding of the condition it is very important to cut through the fog of myths and confusions. As, all of us are concerned about our families and at such crucial time having a wrong information might become very costly. So, here are some myths that are circulating among people. These myths are busted with the information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Common Coronavirus Myths busted
Myth- There is a vaccination available for Coronavirus
Fact- Till date there is no vaccination available for the new Coronavirus. There are a number of scientists who are working on this subject. However, developing an vaccine that is safe for human use will take several months.
Myth- Use of chemical substances help
There is a notion that a person can be safe from Coronavirus by swallowing or gargling with bleach or taking some kinds of steroids. They also believe that taking essential oils, ethanol and salt water can help.
Fact- None of the substances that is mentioned above can help you from Coronavirus epidemic. Infact some of these practices can be dangerous and can affect your health to a large extent.
Some of the best ways that will help you to stay safe from Coronavirus are-
· Look up to the fact that you keep your hands clean by regular washing.
· Wash your hands with an disinfectant or soap
· Do not come in close contact with people who are sick, coughing or even sneezing
· And incase if you are sick, avoid spreading the germs by coughing into the crook of the elbow. Also make sure that you do not go out and stay home all day.
Myth- the Coronavirus 2020 is man-made and is released by people.
Facts- virues do not keep a particular shape and size unlike other organisms. They constantly keep changing the shape. Usually, any outbreak of disease occurs when the virus changes the shape that is common any animal such as bat, pigs or any other birds. This then passes on to the humans. And it is anticipated that the Coronavirus 2020 too spread the same way. Also, there are no evidence of the Coronavirus 2020 being a madmade virus.
Myth- getting any parcel from china can make a person feel sick and unwell
Fact- There are many researches that are being done to understand the way Coronavirus infects a human being. There are evidences that show that Coronavirus do not stay alive outside the host on any surface for a very long period of time. Thus, the possibility of getting infection from any package received from China is likely not possible. As the transit times takes several days to a few weeks. The infection spreads from the droplets from an infected person when they sneeze and cough.
Myth- Taking a face mask will prevent the infection
Fact- Using an professional, tight-fitting respiratory mask can help you stay safe from the Coronavirus. But the use of the disposable light surgical mask will be of no help. It will help you stay clear of large droplet, or from any kind of spray or splash. But since they do not sit tightly to your face tiny drop0let can get to your nose, eyes or mouth. However, people with respiratory issue can take this mask to bring down the chance of infecting other people.
Myth- Hand dryers can effectively kill the new Coronavirus 2020
Facts- No hand dryer can kill the Coronavirus germs present in the hands of a person. To stay safe it is best to clean your hands with water and soap. Choosing an alcohol based hand rub too can be very effective. After washing your hands make sure that you dry them with disposable paper towels or hand dryers.
Myth- pets can spread Coronavirus in people
Fact- Till date there is no evidences that show that the Coronavirus can spread through pets. As there are no reports of the pets falling sick from Coronavirus. However, it is always best to wash our hands when we touch our pets. This can protect us from a number of common bacteria that can be passed from the pets to us.
Fact- the use of common antibiotics can help against bacteria and not bacteria. The Coronavirus is a virus and therefore antibiotics will have no affect on them. But if a person is suffering from Coronavirus, doctors may advice the intake of other antibiotics that can protect you from bacterial Co-infection.
So, these are the common myths that were important to be busted. For a better and healthy tomorrow it is very important that we the people are aware of the Coronavirus condition and what is causing it. Self studying is important rather than listening to what people have to say about it. As this is how misconception and myths spread among people.
How far have we come in the search of a drug for Coronavirus?
The need of time for Coronavirus is to have and develop drug for
fighting and treating the infection by Coronavirus. The president of United
States, Donald Trump is advising the use of hydroxychloroquine. However, going by information
published by the New York Times on 6th april 2020, this is not yet
proven to be effective. There are still many tests that are been going on the
use of hydroxychloroquine and to study its effect on novel Coronavirus.
Hydroxychloroquine
is medication for malaria and there are no studies to prove its effectiveness
in helping patients with Coronavirus. Doland Trump has suggested the use of hydroxychloroquine
for the second time in a row at White House.
About hundreds of scientists from all over the world is working together to figure out a way to under the novel Coronavirus better. They have studied the gene profile of the Coronavirus and have published a list of drug that can be effective in helping fight the infection. This study was posted on bioRxiv on March 27th 2020.
Understand the mechanism of spread of Coronavirus
According to an article published by The Hindu on 4th April 2020, the mechanism involved in the infection of Coronavirus is explained well. When the protein present in the virus gets attached to that of the human protein, it can cause infection in the person.
The team that is involved in finding the drug has listed 67 human proteins that the drug will target to fight the infection the right way. The list of the drug also involves a number of already existing FDA approved medications.
The Hindu also publishes the context send by Dr. Mehdi Bouhaddou, who is a part of the team working on finding a drug and a post doctoral fellow at the University of California. He says that the virus enter the cell of the human being and become a part of the molecular machinery to replicate itself. The Coronavirus cannot replicate on its own and therefore the present of the human cell is very important for its replication. The drugs that the team of scientists is currently working on help to inhibit these molecular mechanism. Therefore, the Coronavirus is not able to replicate and multiply in the human body using the human cells any further.
Still the process needs more studying before they can go for clinical trials. As of 6th April 2020, there is no proven medication to help fight the infection of Coronavirus.