Myth: Sanitizer can prevent coronavirus infections
Some people believe that using sanitizer all over their bodies will help coronavirus infections from happening. According to Frederick Davis, associate chair, emergency medicine at Northwell Health, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, this is just one of the myths that shouldn’t be believed.
“The coronavirus enters the body through mucous membranes like the mouth and nose, so spraying your body with alcohol, chlorine, or other surface disinfectants will not prevent infections,” he says. “While these substances can be effective means to disinfect surfaces and prevent transmission of viruses, the same chemicals on the skin can be harmful to a person and should not be applied in that manner.”
Myth: Stop ordering food from Chinese restaurants as it’s likely to spread the virus
Coronavirus has highly affected Chinese restaurants, as people are afraid to order take out from them nowadays. This is obviously just a myth and experts say there’s absolutely no reason to stop ordering food from Chinese restaurants, just because the first coronavirus patient was reported in China.
“It might have been first uncovered in China, but this doesn’t mean that it is a Chinese virus,” says Dr. Adirim.
Myth: You can get coronavirus from groceries or food delivery
This is not likely to happen, says Dr. Adirim. “If you wash your hands before and after you pick up food and heat it up, you should be protected,” she says.
According to a March 2020 letter in the New England Journal of Medicine, coronavirus can survive up to 24 hours on hard surfaces, but taking precautions when handling groceries or ordering food can help you stay protected.
Myth: Home testing is effective
The FDA recently granted emergency clearance for a COVID testing kit that can be used at home, it’s the Pixel home test from LabCorp. But except that one, other COVID-19 tests might not be as effective, Dr. Adiriam says.
“Many companies are advertising home tests for COVID-19 or antibodies to this virus, but we don’t know the validity of these tests,” she says.
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